.png)
.png)
After a successful first season at Barnsley, Luca Connell has signed a new contract at The Reds that takes his deal until the summer of 2027, with the option of a further year in the club’s favour.
The Republic of Ireland youth international signed for Barnsley from Scottish champions Celtic in the summer of 2022 on a three-year deal, however, after an incredible season for Connell, he has agreed to sign a four-year deal at the club, with the option of another year.
Having come through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers, Connell made his debut as a 17-year-old, and immediately caught the eye of many supporters. After 10 appearances at the Trotters, he then made the move to Celtic.
In 2020, he made the move to Queens Park on loan. After three goals and four assists in 11 games and helping the club to win promotion to League One, he went back there for another season on loan, in which he accumulated seven goals and four assists in 30 games for the club.
Despite not playing a single game for Celtic’s senior squad, the Irishman made the move to Barnsley in 2022 on a free transfer following his release from Celtic. Despite many people believing that Connell would be a future signing for the Reds, he quickly established himself as a mainstay in the heart of the Barnsley midfield, with many Barnsley fans saying Connell was their best player.
In his first and only season to date in a red shirt, Connell has scored two goals and made nine assists at the base of the three-man midfield for the Reds. His most noticeable moment for Barnsley so far was the inch-perfect cross for Liam Kitching’s winning goal as Barnsley beat Connell’s former side Bolton in the play-off semi-final to book a trip to Wembley.
His efforts and phenomenal displays did not go unnoticed by the fans, as the 22-year-old was voted Barnsley’s young player of the season, and was very much in with a shout of winning the senior player of the season award, which eventually went to central defender Mads Andersen.
Connell is very well known for having a wand of a left foot and being the glue that holds the Barnsley team together, as he likes to make tackles and break up play before starting a Barnsley attack, just one of many dimensions to the Irishman’s game.
Despite only just missing out on promotion back to the Championship last season, Barnsley will be looking to try and win promotion again in the upcoming season under new gaffer Neill Collins, and it will certainly be a boost to Reds fans that Connell has decided to stay at Oakwell for the foreseeable future.
Views from our Expert Panel
We asked our Expert Panel for their view on Luca putting pen to paper:
Neil from Tykes TV gave his reaction:
"Luca extends his stay at Oakwell, and along with many others who will be delighted with that news, I am ecstatic that my favourite player has extended his stay with us, since coming in at the start of last season, as a relative 'unknown'. I had a good friend of mine from Bolton tell me that he will excite you, and will show a great work ethic, how right he was. The 22 year old is staying with us hopefully until at least 2027 now, with an option for the club to extend by another year. He was unlucky to be injured when he received a call up for the Republic of Ireland U21’s, but I can see good things for him going forward, having already earning the 'young player of the year season' for 22/23, can he go one further next season? A player we must build around and let him develop even more at our club, and will be a fan’s favourite. He already is mine."
In the Red Corner's Andy Sage @powerslam1973 told BarnsleySport:
"Connell's contract extension is good news, but let's not get carried away. This comes at a time that seems to paper over the cracks at the club. We still need players in and don't let it gloss over the EFL BREACH and possible point reduction."
Red All Over pundit Andy Symcox @andysymcox provided the following view:
"After a difficult few days for the club & its supporters, it was excellent to see that one of our brightest stars has shown faith in the club & signed a 4-year contract. You show the way forward, Luca"
...and finally leading BFC Pundit Ant Clare @antclare78 commented:
"After a tough week, Luca connell signing a new four year deal was the perfect pick me up. I personally feel a lot more confident about the season knowing arguably our best midfielder has committed his future to the club. Perhaps the armband will be coming his way too as he would be the perfect candidate to take over the captaincy from the departing Mads Andersen."