Barnsley New Year run thrills Nwakali

Nigeria midfielder Kelechi Nwakali seems to be settling well into life at League One side Barnsley as he celebrated their perfect run into the New Year on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The third division side have won their two games so far this year, moving to the fifth place in the table after four consecutive wins.

Nwakali was on for the entire duration of the game as they beat Benjamin Tanimu’s Crawley Town 3-0 in their second game of the New Year on Saturday.

“Two wins in the New Year. The best way to say happy New Year to the fans,” Nwakali wrote in the wake of the win on Sunday.

Barnsley signed the 26-year-old on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Chaves in August 2024.

He has made nine appearances for Barnsley in League One, scoring one goal as they continue to push for a return to the Championship.

He scored his first goal for the club and his first since April 27 as Barnsley came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Exeter City on Saturday, December 14, 2024.

“I knew this was an exciting opportunity for me, I know I can bring a lot to the team,” Nwakali told the club’s official website when he joined last summer.

“I am looking forward to being back in England and making Oakwell my home for the next three years.”

Nwakali has made four senior appearances for the Nigerian men’s national team and left his country in 2016 to join Premier League side Arsenal.

Following numerous loan spells, the midfielder left the Gunners in 2019, signing for Spanish sides SD Huesca and then Ponferradina before joining Chaves last year.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]