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Barnsley Retain Nigerian Midfielder Kelechi Nwakali Despite Uncertain Oakwell Future

Posted : 19 May 2026

English League One side Barnsley FC have confirmed that Nigerian international midfielder Kelechi Nwakali will remain at the club. The South Yorkshire team made the announcement public when publishing their official senior squad retained list on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

The former Golden Eaglets star still has one year remaining on his three-year contract. He features on the contracted list alongside senior teammates Luca Connell, Josh Earl, Kacper Lopata, Corey O’Keeffe, and goalkeeper Jackson Smith.

Nwakali had experienced a deeply complicated year at Oakwell Stadium that left his future looking bleak. The 27-year-old made 26 senior appearances earlier in his first season before losing his regular midfield spot under former manager Conor Hourihane. He was widely expected to secure a transfer away from the Tykes during previous windows, but a move never materialised.

Having been deemed surplus to first-team requirements, the midfielder spent several months turning out for Barnsley's development squad. Despite the isolation, Nwakali maintained his professionalism and fitness before forcing his way back into first-team contention late in the season. He ultimately made four consecutive substitute appearances in the final weeks of the campaign to play a combined 52 minutes.

The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner will now look to put a difficult 2025/2026 season behind him. Barnsley will be led into the new campaign by returning manager Daniel Stendel following a disappointing finish. The club released several senior pros, including Jon Russell, Marc Roberts, and Max Watters, while loan players like Owen Goodman and Nathanael Ogbeta returned to their parent clubs.

 

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