Oisin Gallagher has signed a new contract keeping him at the Imps until the summer of 2029, with the club having a further one-year option, he will now continue his development with a season-long loan at Sky Bet League Two side Barnet.
The 21-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, was delighted to commit his future to the Imps after the support the club has shown throughout his rehabilitation from two major injuries and since joining the club aged 16.
Oisin said: “I’m over the moon - I’m really excited and proud to have signed. 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.”
Gallagher believes his move to Barnet represents the next stage in his development after a successful spell at Boston United last season.
He added: “Boston were great with me and I’m extremely grateful to everyone there. 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."
Sporting director Jez George added: “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.”
