Luca Connell

Celtic and Queen's Park On 29 June 2019, Connell signed a four-year deal with Celtic for a fee of around £350,000.

Connell was loaned to Queen's Park in March 2021 and again in September 2021. He helped them achieve back to back promotions during his two loan spells (from League Two to League One and then from League One to the Championship).

On 3 June 2022, it was announced that Connell had been released by Celtic, despite having a year left on his contract. He left without having made a senior appearance during his three years with the club.

Barnsley On 17 June 2022, Connell returned to England to join League One club Barnsley on a three-year contract. In his first season, he helped the club to reach the play-off final, losing 0–1 to Sheffield Wednesday.

On 8 August 2024, Barnsley confirmed Connell as the club's captain after the departure of Jordan Williams, alongside Marc Roberts who was named as the club's vice-captain.

International career Connell is eligible to represent both England and the Republic of Ireland.

In August 2017, Connell was invited to train with the Republic of Ireland under-17 squad.

He was called up to the under-18s for the first time in November 2018, and made his debut in a 2–1 win against Belgium. In the following days, Connell started in a 3–1 defeat to England and 1–0 win against the Netherlands. In March 2019, he was called up to the under-19s. Connell featured in victories against Romania, Azerbaijan and Russia as Ireland qualified for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

In May 2019 he received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior national team. 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.

Connell made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut on 26 March 2021, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 win over Wales U21 in Wrexham.

Career statistics

Honours Queen's Park Scottish League Two: 2020–21