20-year-old will join Martin Devaney’s development side.
The young striker, who recently left Nottingham Forest, will link up with Martin Devaney’s U23s squad in the Professional Development League this season.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for Barnsley Football Club,” said McDonagh. “I’ve always known it is a big Club, and when I was at Nottingham Forest we used to play against Barnsley all the time at youth level.”
McDonagh had been at Forest from a young age, and had loan spells at National League outfits Wrexham and Tranmere Rovers, either side of a temporary stint with League Two side Cambridge United in 2017.
The 20-year-old made his Football League debut for Forest in August 2015, replacing Tyler Walker in the 80th minute against Cardiff City at the City Ground.
Since then, he has scored five goals for Wrexham, while also netting his first Football League goal for Cambridge in a 1-1 draw with Colchester United in March 2017.
“The experience of playing men’s first team football has benefitted me hugely, it’s a lot different from under 23s in terms of playing in front of a crowd and the step-up in quality,”continued McDonagh.
“I want to do well for the under 23s and eventually, at some point, get into the first team and make my debut for this Club.”
Welcome to Oakwell, Gerry!
Fans can see Martin Devaney’s U23s side in action at 2pm on Friday after as they take on QPR, in the first game of the new league campaign. Entry is FREE for all supporters.
