# Luca Connell > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Luca_Connell > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Luca_Connell.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Connell > Source revision: 1338473958 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|English-Irish footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Luca Connell | image = Luca Connell.jpeg | caption = Connell playing for [Bolton Wanderers U18s](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy) in 2017 | full_name = Luca John Connell{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Bolton Wanderers |publisher=English Football League |page=7 |access-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160325/https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=live }} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|4|20|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/luca-connell/530013/ |title=L. Connell: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=20 March 2022}} | birth_place = [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool), England | height = {{convert|1.81|m|order=flip}} | position = [Defensive midfielder](/source/Defensive_midfielder) | currentclub = [Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.) | clubnumber = 48 | youthyears1 = 2010–2019 | youthclubs1 = [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy) | years1 = 2019 | clubs1 = [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) | caps1 = 10 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2019–2022 | clubs2 = [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.) | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2021 | clubs3 = → [Queen's Park](/source/Queen's_Park_F.C.) (loan) | caps3 = 11 | goals3 = 3 | years4 = 2021–2022 | clubs4 = → [Queen's Park](/source/Queen's_Park_F.C.) (loan) | caps4 = 27 | goals4 = 7 | years5 = 2022– | clubs5 = [Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.) | caps5 = 128 | goals5 = 8 | years6 = 2024- | nationalyears1 = 2018 | nationalteam1 = [Republic of Ireland U17](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-17_football_team) | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2018 | nationalteam2 = [Republic of Ireland U18](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-18_football_team) | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2019 | nationalteam3 = [Republic of Ireland U19](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-19_football_team) | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2021 | nationalteam4 = [Republic of Ireland U21](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-21_football_team) | nationalcaps4 = 3 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | club-update = 15 February 2026 | nationalteam-update = 17:17, 29 September 2022 (UTC) }} '''Luca John Connell''' (born 20 April 2001) is an Irish professional [footballer](/source/association_football). He plays as a [defensive midfielder](/source/defensive_midfielder) for {{English football updater|Barnsley}} side [Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.). He started his senior career with [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) before moving to [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.), from whom he spent two loan spells at [Queen's Park](/source/Queen's_Park_F.C.). He has represented the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) at under-17 to under-21 levels. ==Early life== Connell was born in [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool), Merseyside. ==Club career== ===Bolton Wanderers=== Connell joined [Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) at the age of nine.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/16364994.liverpool-and-evertons-loss-is-wanderers-gain-says-under-18s-boss/|title=Liverpool and Everton's loss is Wanderers' gain, says Under-18s boss|last=Iles|first=Marc|date=20 July 2018|work=The Bolton News|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106055212/https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/16364994.liverpool-and-evertons-loss-is-wanderers-gain-says-under-18s-boss/|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live}} He joined the under-18s as a first-year scholar for the [2017–18 season](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._season), and was promoted to the under-23s for the [2018–19 campaign](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._season).{{Cite news|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/youth-international-round-up/|title=Academy trio selected to train with their respective nations' youth sides|last=Norris|first=Emma|date=8 August 2017|work=Bolton Wanderers FC|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130221643/https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/youth-international-round-up/|archive-date=30 January 2019|url-status=live}} On 5 January 2019, Connell made his competitive debut in a 5–2 win over [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) in the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) Third Round as an 89th minute substitute replacing [Luke Murphy](/source/Luke_Murphy_(English_footballer)).{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46706810|title=Bolton Wanderers 5–2 Walsall|date=5 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128034839/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46706810|archive-date=28 January 2019|url-status=live}} Two weeks later, he was named as unused substitute in a 2–0 league defeat to [West Bromwich Albion](/source/West_Bromwich_Albion_F.C.).{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46859370|title=Bolton Wanderers 0–2 West Bromwich Albion|last=Freeman|first=Jay|date=21 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123191525/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46859370|archive-date=23 January 2019|url-status=live}} On 25 January, Connell started his first senior game in a 2–1 defeat to [Bristol City](/source/Bristol_City_F.C.) in the FA Cup fourth round and assisted [Mark Beevers](/source/Mark_Beevers)' goal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46914274|title=Bristol City 2–1 Bolton Wanderers|date=25 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128035602/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46914274|archive-date=28 January 2019|url-status=live}} He was rewarded with a league debut four days later in a 1–1 draw against [Reading](/source/Reading_F.C.).{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46955104|title=Bolton Wanderers 1–1 Reading|date=29 January 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130150035/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46955104|archive-date=30 January 2019|url-status=live}} Connell's scholarship contract was extended for a further year on 21 May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/option-taken-up-on-third-year-scholarship-extensions-for-trio/|title=Option taken up on third year scholarship extensions for quartet|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} ===Celtic=== On 29 June 2019, Connell signed a four-year deal with [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.) for a fee of around £350,000.{{cite web | url=http://www.celticfc.net/news/16364 | title=Celtic sign highly-rated Luca Connell on four-year deal | publisher=[Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.) | date=29 June 2019 | access-date=29 June 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17738632.celtic-wrap-signing-boltons-luca-connell-generous-fee/|title=Wanderers aided by 'generous' Celtic fee as Luca Connell walks out|website=The Bolton News}} Connell was loaned to [Queen's Park](/source/Queen's_Park_F.C.) in March 2021 and again in September 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0318/1204752-celtic-teen-luca-connell-goes-on-loan-to-queens-park/|title=Celtic teen Luca Connell makes loan move to Queen's Park|website=www.rte.ie|date=18 March 2021|access-date=21 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://queensparkfc.co.uk/luca-connell-re-joins-spiders/ |title=Luca Connell Re-joins Spiders |website=queensparkfc.co.uk |publisher=Queens Park FC |date=17 September 2021 |accessdate=17 September 2021}} He helped them achieve back to back promotions during his two loan spells (from [League Two](/source/Scottish_League_Two) to [League One](/source/Scottish_League_One) and then from League One to the [Championship](/source/Scottish_Championship)).{{Cite web|url=https://www.67hailhail.com/news/celtic-academy-star-luca-connell-helps-spfl-side-to-promotion/|title=Celtic youngster Luca Connell helps SPFL side to promotion|date=21 April 2021|website=67 Hail Hail}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61368166|title=Queen's Park beat Airdrie to reach Championship|work=BBC Sport }} On 3 June 2022, it was announced that Connell had been released by [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.), despite having a year left on his contract. He left without having made a senior appearance during his three years with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/luca-connell-released-by-celtic-after-unsuccessful-three-year-stint-41718152.html|title=Luca Connell released by Celtic after unsuccessful three-year stint|website=independent}} ===Barnsley=== On 17 June 2022, Connell returned to England to join League One club [Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.) on a three-year contract before helping Barnsley advance to the EFL League One Playoff Finals. On 8 August 2024, Barnsley F.C confirmed Connell as the club's captain, alongside [Marc Roberts](/source/Marc_Roberts_(footballer)) who was named as the club's vice-captain.[https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/08/luca-connell-announced-as-club-captain/ Luca Connell announced as club captain] Barnsley Football Club, Retrieved on 8 August 2024. ==International career== Connell is eligible to represent both [England](/source/England_national_football_team) and the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team).{{Cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/luca-connell-4466462-Jan2019/|title=Exciting Irish U18 international makes Championship debut amid links to Spurs|date=29 January 2019|work=The 42|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418211559/https://www.the42.ie/luca-connell-4466462-Jan2019/|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/2019/2/16/18227296/gossip-england-keen-on-luca-connell-switching-international-allegiances|title=Gossip: England keen on Luca Connell switching international allegiances|last=Skelly|first=Ed|date=16 February 2019|work=Lion of Vienna Suite|access-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418211604/https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/2019/2/16/18227296/gossip-england-keen-on-luca-connell-switching-international-allegiances|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live}} In August 2017, Connell was invited to train with the [Republic of Ireland under-17](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-17_football_team) squad. On 21 March 2018, Connell made his international debut at under-17 level in a 3–0 win against [Macedonia](/source/Macedonia_national_under-17_football_team). Three days later, he featured in a 2–0 victory against [Georgia](/source/Georgia_national_under-17_football_team). In May 2018, Connell made two appearances in the [2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship](/source/2018_UEFA_European_Under-17_Championship) group stages, playing in wins against [Denmark](/source/Denmark_national_under-17_football_team) and [Bosnia and Herzegovina](/source/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_national_under-17_football_team).{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/teams/players/250118236--luca-connell/|title=Under-17 - Luca Connell|website=[UEFA](/source/UEFA)|publisher=UEFA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106104351/https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2018/teams/player=250118236/index.html|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2019}} He was called up to the [under-18s](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) for the first time in November 2018, and made his debut in a 2–1 win against [Belgium](/source/Belgium_national_under-18_football_team). In the following days, Connell started in a 3–1 defeat to [England](/source/England_national_under-18_football_team) and 1–0 win against the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands_national_football_team).{{Cite news|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2018/november/international-round-up-luca-connell-represents-republic-of-ireland-u18s/|title=International round-up: Luca Connell represents Republic of Ireland U18s|last=O'Gara|first=Mikey|date=16 November 2018|work=Bolton Wanderers FC|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106055525/https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2018/november/international-round-up-luca-connell-represents-republic-of-ireland-u18s/|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live}} In March 2019, he was called up to the [under-19s](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-19_football_team). Connell featured in victories against [Romania](/source/Romania_national_under-19_football_team), [Azerbaijan](/source/Azerbaijan_national_under-19_football_team) and [Russia](/source/Russia_national_under-19_football_team) as Ireland qualified for the [UEFA European Under-19 Championship](/source/UEFA_European_Under-19_Championship).{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/teams/players/250118236--luca-connell/|title=Luca Connell|website=[UEFA](/source/UEFA)|publisher=UEFA|access-date=13 April 2019}} In May 2019 he received his first call-up to the [Republic of Ireland senior national team](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48341989|title=Luca Connell: Bolton youngster handed first Republic of Ireland call-up|date=20 May 2019|website=BBC Sport}} Connell's first trip with the Republic of Ireland squad ended prematurely though as he was forced to pull out of the squad with a thigh strain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/luca-connell-forced-out-of-ireland-squad-through-injury-927499.html|title=Luca Connell forced out of Ireland squad through injury|date=29 May 2019|website=www.irishexaminer.com|access-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529152838/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/luca-connell-forced-out-of-ireland-squad-through-injury-927499.html|archive-date=29 May 2019|url-status=live}} Connell made his [Republic of Ireland U21](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-21_football_team) debut on 26 March 2021, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 win over [Wales U21](/source/Wales_national_under-21_football_team) in [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham).https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-u21-comeback-to-beat-wales {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} ==Career statistics== {{updated|match played on 1 January 2026}}{{Cite web |title= Statistics |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=118095 |publisher=[Soccerbase](/source/Soccerbase) |access-date=13 June 2019}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup), [Scottish Cup](/source/Scottish_Cup)}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [EFL Cup](/source/EFL_Cup), [Scottish League Cup](/source/Scottish_League_Cup)}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |[Bolton Wanderers](/source/Bolton_Wanderers_F.C.) |[2018–19](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_Bolton_Wanderers_F.C._season) |[EFL Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) |10||0||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||12||0 |- |rowspan="4"|[Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.) |[2019–20](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Celtic_F.C._season) |[Scottish Premiership](/source/Scottish_Premiership) |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |[2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Celtic_F.C._season) |Scottish Premiership |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |[2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Celtic_F.C._season) |Scottish Premiership |0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|[Celtic U20](/source/Celtic_F.C._Under-20s_and_Academy) |2019–20 |— |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance(s) in [Scottish Challenge Cup](/source/Scottish_Challenge_Cup)}}||0||2||0 |- |2021–22 |— |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance(s) in [Scottish Challenge Cup](/source/Scottish_Challenge_Cup)}}||0||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!3!!0!!3!!0 |- |[Queen's Park](/source/Queen's_Park_F.C.) (loan) |[2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Scottish_League_Two) |[Scottish League Two](/source/Scottish_League_Two) |11||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||3 |- |Queen's Park (loan) |[2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Scottish_League_One) |[Scottish League One](/source/Scottish_League_One) |27||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearance(s) in [Scottish Championship play-offs](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Scottish_Championship)}}||0||31||7 |- |rowspan="5"|[Barnsley](/source/Barnsley_F.C.) |[2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Barnsley_F.C._season) |[EFL League One](/source/EFL_League_One) |39||2||3||0||2||0||4{{efn|Appearance in the [EFL Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy)}}||0||48||2 |- |[2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Barnsley_F.C._season) |EFL League One |24||1||2||0||0||0||3||0||29||1 |- |[2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_Barnsley_F.C._season) |EFL League One |41||2||2||0||3||0||0||0||46||2 |- |[2025–26](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_Barnsley_F.C._season) |EFL League One |20||2||2||0||2||0||3||0||27||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !124!!7!!9!!0!!7!!0!!10!!0!!150!!7 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !172!!17!!12!!0!!7!!0!!16!!0!!207!!17 |} {{notelist}} ==Honours== '''Queen's Park''' *[Scottish League Two](/source/Scottish_League_Two): [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_Scottish_League_Two) *[Scottish League One](/source/Scottish_League_One) promotion play-offs: [2022](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Scottish_Championship) '''Individual''' *[PFA Team of the Year](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year): [2022–23 League One](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_EFL_League_One){{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66650723 |title=Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2023 |access-date=29 August 2023}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Barnsley F.C. squad}} {{2022–23 EFL League One PFA Team of the Year}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Connell, Luca}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:English people of Irish descent Category:English men's footballers Category:Footballers from Liverpool Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers Category:English Football League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Celtic F.C. players Category:Queen's Park F.C. players Category:Barnsley F.C. players Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Luca Connell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Connell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Connell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.