Barnsley FC transfer news: Defender signed to bring leadership and experience
Barnsley have signed free agent Eoghan O’Connell to add leadership and experience to their back line.
The Reds have Marc Roberts for that, but the 35-year-old has only been fit to start eight of their first 21 League One matches this season.
Centre-back O’Connell has been a free agent since being released by Wrexham in September, having made his only two appearances of the campaign in the early stages of the League Cup.
But he was named in last season's League One team of the year.
“We’re excited to welcome Eoghan to Oakwell. He brings real leadership, solidity, and football intelligence to our backline," said Barnsley coach Conor Hourihane.
"His career speaks volumes — with nearly 300 league appearances and a promotion-winner, he’s exactly the kind of experienced defender we need.
"Eoghan fits our system and is a fantastic addition on and off the pitch.”
The 30-year-old came through Celtic's academy, making the first of 13 senior appearances in March 2014.
Oldham Athletic, Cork City and Walsall before making a permanent move to Bury in the summer of 2017.
Spells at Rochdale and Charlton Athletic followed before moving to then-non-league Wrexham in January 2023.
A Republic of Ireland international at under-19 and under-21 level, he has over over 300 career appearances, scoring 10 goals.
O’Connell was not the only reinforcement to the squad on Tuesday, with Corey O'Keefe and Kacper Lopata recalled from loans at Stockport County and Bristol Rovers respectively.