Barnsley have confirmed that Kelechi Nwakali will remain at the club for the 2026/27 season after including the Nigerian midfielder on their retained list released on Sunday.
The League One side announced several squad decisions ahead of the new campaign, with the club activating contract options for a number of players, including Nwakali.
Nwakali (right) celebrates his first goal for Barnsley vs Exeter City. Photocredit Getty images
The decision comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the former Golden Eaglets captain’s future at Oakwell.
Nwakali endured a difficult period at Barnsley following his arrival, with his involvement in the first team gradually reducing after initially featuring regularly during his debut campaign.
The Nigerian midfielder made 26 appearances during his first season at the club but later slipped down the pecking order under former manager Conor Hourihane.
READMORE: NSC hails Team Nigeria as women dominate 29-medal haul at African Weightlifting Championship
At different stages of the campaign, the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner appeared likely to leave the club after reports suggested he was no longer part of the manager’s long-term plans.
However, despite speculation linking him with a move away during previous transfer windows, no deal materialized.
Nwakali subsequently spent long periods featuring for the development squad as he worked to maintain match fitness before briefly returning to senior action towards the end of the season.
The midfielder made four substitute appearances late in the campaign, playing a combined total of 52 minutes for the first team.
Kelechi Nwakali
Reports earlier in the season indicated internal disciplinary concerns involving the Nigerian, while he was also sent off during a development squad fixture against Birmingham City’s academy side following an altercation.
LICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
Despite those setbacks, Barnsley have now opted to keep the midfielder as part of their squad plans for the upcoming campaign.
The decision offers Nwakali another opportunity to revive his career in England after a challenging spell that threatened to bring his time at the club to an early end.
