Luca Connell
{{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 in 2017
| 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, England
| height = {{convert|1.81|m|order=flip}}
| position = Defensive midfielder
| currentclub = Barnsley
| clubnumber = 48
| youthyears1 = 2010–2019
| youthclubs1 = Bolton Wanderers
| years1 = 2019
| clubs1 = Bolton Wanderers
| caps1 = 10
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2019–2022
| clubs2 = Celtic
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2021
| clubs3 = → Queen's Park (loan)
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2021–2022
| clubs4 = → Queen's Park (loan)
| caps4 = 27
| goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2022–
| clubs5 = Barnsley
| caps5 = 109
| goals5 = 5
| years6 = 2024-
| nationalyears1 = 2018
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U18
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2019
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2021
| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps4 = 3
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 23:59, 4 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 17:17, 29 September 2022 (UTC)
}}
Luca John Connell (born 20 April 2001) is an Irish professional footballer. He plays as a defensive midfielder for {{English football updater|Barnsley}} side Barnsley. He started his senior career with Bolton Wanderers before moving to Celtic, from whom he spent two loan spells at Queen's Park. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 to under-21 levels.
Early life
Connell was born in Liverpool, Merseyside.
Club career
=Bolton Wanderers=
Connell joined Bolton Wanderers 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, and was promoted to the under-23s for the 2018–19 campaign.{{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 in the FA Cup Third Round as an 89th minute substitute replacing Luke Murphy.{{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.{{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 in the FA Cup fourth round and assisted 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.{{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 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 | 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 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 to League One and then from League One to the 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, 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 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 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 and the Republic of Ireland.{{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 squad. On 21 March 2018, Connell made his international debut at under-17 level in a 3–0 win against Macedonia. Three days later, he featured in a 2–0 victory against Georgia. In May 2018, Connell made two appearances in the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship group stages, playing in wins against Denmark and Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/teams/players/250118236--luca-connell/|title=Under-17 - Luca Connell|website=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 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.{{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. Connell featured in victories against Romania, Azerbaijan and Russia as Ireland qualified for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/teams/players/250118236--luca-connell/|title=Luca Connell|website=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.{{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 debut on 26 March 2021, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 win over Wales U21 in Wrexham.https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-u21-comeback-to-beat-wales {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 11 March 2023}}{{Cite web |title= Statistics |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=118095 |publisher=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 !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Bolton Wanderers
|10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Celtic
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|Scottish Premiership |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|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
|2019–20 |— |colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22
|— |colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Queen's Park (loan)
|11 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 3 | ||||
| Queen's Park (loan)
|27 | 7 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Appearance(s) in Scottish Championship play-offs}} | 0 | 31 | 7 | ||
| Barnsley
|29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 35 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!77 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 91 | 12 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Barnsley F.C. squad}}
{{2022–23 EFL League One PFA Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connell, Luca}}
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:Queen's Park F.C. players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players