Oisin Gallagher will spend the 2026/27 season on loan at Barnet after signing a new long-term contract with Lincoln City.
The 21-year-old has joined the League Two side for the full campaign, giving him the chance to continue his development with regular EFL football. Before completing the move, Gallagher agreed a deal with the Imps running until the summer of 2029, with the club holding an option for a further year.
“I’m over the moon – I’m really excited and proud to have signed,” he said. “The club has looked after me incredibly well from where I was this time last year, having two injuries back-to-back and being in the final year of my contract.
“I’m extremely grateful to the club. Every time I’ve gone through a difficult period, they’ve always supported me. Knowing I’ve security for the next three years gives me great confidence, and now it’s all about kicking on.”
The loan follows a productive spell with Boston United last season, where Gallagher rebuilt his momentum after two serious injuries and made almost 30 appearances in the National League. Capable of playing in defence or midfield, he will now step up a level with Barnet as he looks to strengthen his case for a future first-team role at Sincil Bank.
“Boston were great with me and I’m extremely grateful to everyone there,” he said. “They really looked after me, helped me get back playing and get back into my stride. I’m extremely grateful for the games I played there.
“But this is the next step for me. I’ll be playing in the EFL and hopefully getting as many games as I can. It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
Gallagher returned to senior action in Lincoln’s EFL Trophy victory at Barnsley, his first competitive appearance for nine months, before heading back to Boston for another loan spell.
He initially featured at centre-back for the Pilgrims before later moving into midfield, becoming an important part of their side as they moved towards National League safety. His form also brought international recognition, with Gallagher called into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad before scoring a late winner against Kazakhstan on his debut.
Sporting director Jez George believes Gallagher’s performances at Barnsley and Boston demonstrated both his ability and character, while interest from several League Two clubs underlined the progress he had made.
“Oisin is an extremely talented young player, who showed our supporters a glimpse of that against Barnsley last season in the EFL Trophy, before going out on loan to Boston United. That night, he didn’t just impress against the likes of David McGoldrick and Davis Keillor-Dunn, but it was his first competitive game in nine months, and he knew what was riding on it for him, so it was a huge test of his character as well as his ability, which he passed emphatically.
“Oisin then backed that up with almost 30 appearances in the National League. This loan, and the interest we had from numerous League Two clubs wanting to buy or take Oisin on loan, shows that he’s still on an upward trajectory. We believe that he can still be a future first-team player with Lincoln City, which is demonstrated by the new contract, and this loan is Oisin’s next step towards it.”
Born in Derry, Gallagher began his career in Derry City’s youth system before moving to Lincoln and signing his first professional contract in December 2021. His senior experience has also included loan spells with Barwell, Peterborough Sports and Drogheda United.
The immediate focus will now be on earning regular minutes with Barnet. After recovering from two major injuries, establishing himself at Boston and breaking into the Ireland Under-21 side, Gallagher has been handed the opportunity to prove himself in the Football League.
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