Transfer Background and Contract Details
David McGoldrick, 37, officially joined League One club Barnsley on July 9, 2025, signing a one-year contract. The move was a free transfer after McGoldrick's contract with his boyhood club, Notts County, expired. He had rejected new terms offered by the League Two side before deciding on the move to Oakwell.
Player's Motivation and a Key Reunion
A significant factor in McGoldrick's decision was the opportunity to reunite with Barnsley's head coach, Conor Hourihane. The two were teammates at both Derby County and for the Republic of Ireland national team.
McGoldrick expressed his excitement about the move, stating, "I’m delighted to be joining Barnsley and linking up with Conor again. This is a fantastic club with big ambitions, and I’m excited to be part of that journey". He added, "I still feel great physically and mentally, and I’m ready to give everything to help the team achieve success this season".
Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane praised the signing, emphasizing McGoldrick's quality and character. "I've known 'Didzy' for many years and his footballing intelligence, technical ability and eye for a goal is undisputed," Hourihane said. "He is a fantastic character as well and someone I know our younger players will look up to. To get a player of his calibre is a real coup for us".
Prolific Career and Recent Form
McGoldrick brings a wealth of experience from a 21-year career that has seen him play across the top four tiers of English football.
- Overall Career: He has scored 163 goals in 576 appearances in league competitions.
- Premier League Experience: He played two seasons in the Premier League with Sheffield United from 2019 to 2021.
- Recent Success at Notts County: In the 2024-25 season, McGoldrick scored 17 goals for Notts County. His performance earned him a place in the EFL League Two Team of the Season. Since rejoining Notts County in 2023, he scored 30 goals in 76 appearances.
- Derby County Stint: Before his return to Notts County, he had a standout season at Derby County in 2022-23, where he scored 25 goals and was named the club's Player of the Year.
Career Statistics Summary
Here is a look at his appearances and goals for his most recent clubs:
| Club | League | Seasons | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield United | Championship/Premier League | 2018–2022 | 136 | 30 |
| Derby County | League One | 2022–2023 | 45 | 25 |
| Notts County | League Two | 2023–2025 | 76 | 30 |
| Republic of Ireland | International | 2014–2020 | 14 | 1 |
Major Individual Honours
Throughout his career, McGoldrick has received numerous individual accolades, highlighting his consistent quality:
- PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 (League One)
- EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2024–25
- FAI Senior International Player of the Year: 2019
- Club Player of the Year Awards:
- Ipswich Town (2013–14)
- Sheffield United (2018–19)
- Derby County (2022–23)
- Notts County (2024–25)