The north Belfast side will face Caernarfon Town in the Conference League and if they can win that tie they will take on Polish big hitters Legia Warsaw.
Legia Warsaw are 15-time Ekstraklasa champions, of which seven of those titles have come in the last 11 years.
Crusaders, who qualified via the European Play-Off, have featured in several daunting challenges on the continent during Stephen Baxter’s time in charge.
Baxter will continue to lead them from the touchline for as long as they remain in European competition before new boss Declan Caddell picks up the reins.
Crusaders’ first mission is to see off the challenge of Welsh European debutants Caernarfon Town who finished fifth out of 12 teams in the JD Cymru Premier. After winning 11 of their 32 League matches, they defeated Penybont FC 3-1 in a Play-Off Final.
O’Rourke, who scored in the European Play-Off Final win over Coleraine, feels the continental challenges can shine a positive light on the Irish League.
“In the past few years we have progressed in Europe to help the League’s co-efficient and other teams have performed well,” said O’Rourke who came in at No.13 in the Belfast Telegraph list of the League’s best players from last season.
“It shows the League is going in the right direction and when we face the bigger sides we are competitive against them, despite the difference in resources.
“All the European memories are special. Playing in front of a full house at Molineux against Wolves was massive.
“Equally as good was taking Rosenborg to extra-time in Norway.
“They are the two highlights, but FC Basel was big as well.”
A potential showdown against the most successful Polish football club in history will get Crusaders’ competitive juices flowing even faster.
Last season Legia reached the Conference League round of 32 where they lost 6-2 on aggregate.
They are a top class professional outfit with a strong European pedigree and will be firm favourites to crush any Welsh or Northern Irish resistance.
“If we beat the Welsh side we will face Legia Warsaw which is unreal. We seem to get some luck in drawing these big teams,” said O’Rourke. “This is my fourth year in Europe with Crusaders and we have faced Wolves, FC Basel and Rosenborg — now Legia if we can get through. These sides are household names.
“You don’t need added incentive to beat anyone in Europe but that would be a wonderful occasion. Even going to Wales will be a great experience — it’s a lot better than playing pre-season games.”
The 29-year-old registered four goals in 36 League appearances last season as the Crues secured a fourth-placed finish before winning the European Play-Offs. He was a crucial cog in Baxter’s final season and will be an influential performer for Caddell going forward.
“Declan is taking charge of the training sessions now with Stephen expected to be in charge for the European games,” he added.
“It’s Declan’s regime now with David Rainey, Peter Thompson and Steven Livingstone also steering the ship.
“I’m looking forward to next season to see how things pan out and the European draws have got us excited.
“Pre-season can be all about fitness work but the European games give you something to aim towards because they are coming soon.
“Stephen (Baxter) has been involved in big games over the years and hopefully we can have a few more.”
When the world’s longest serving manager lets go of his Crusaders commitments, a new era will begin on the Shore Road and there will be significant changes on and off the pitch.
Caddell has already been active in the transfer market and emerging talent will be given an opportunity to shine.
The former Crusaders midfielder has a firm grasp on the Seaview production line from his time as Head of Crusaders Football Academy.
Among the new arrivals are former Linfield winger Jordan Stewart, striker Kieran Offord on a season-long loan signing of from St Mirren, teenage defender Jacob Blaney from Hibernian and young winger Billy Vance from Crewe United.
It’s also hoped that former Linfield centre-back Jimmy Callacher will be able to return in the early round of domestic fixtures after missing most of last season through injury.
Talented left-back O’Rourke says it will be an exciting new chapter for the club, with the Crusaders’ ethos and desire for success remaining the same.
“It’s exciting times for Declan and the players,” he added.
“There’s a lot of new faces in the squad and younger lads joining us in training.
“There’s a new look to the squad as well as the management team. It’s definitely exciting and something to look forward to.”