Lincoln City have confirmed that defender Oisin Gallagher will remain with the club until 2026/27 after triggering an option on his current deal.
Gallagher will not only remain with the Imps after this season, but he will stay at Boston United until the end of the campaign after his loan deal was extended. The 20-year-old returned from injury for the Imps in the 2-0 win against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy before heading to the Pilgrims on loan.
Playing centre back, he has turned out nine times since returning to the Jakemans Community Stadium, scoring against Brackley Town, and he will now see out the season with the Pilgrims.
Bouncing back from an injury sustained during his first spell with the Pilgrims, many felt he was beginning to slide from view, but he turned in a solid performance at Oakwell and has since become a key part of the Boston starting XI.
“Oisin deserves huge credit for his performance at Barnsley, after so long out from two serious injuries,” City’s sporting director Jez George said. “He’s had no luck, with the second injury being such a freak incident in pre-season after Oisin had returned to training looking so fit from the ankle problem that curtailed his previous spell on loan at Boston last season.
“Oisin showed his talent and potential at Oakwell against a strong Barnsley team against the likes of Davis Keillor-Dunn and David McGoldrick, so triggering his option is a no-brainer.
“This loan will get him games, which is so important after his 2025, and will best equip him to come back into pre-season ready to compete for a place in our squad for next season.”
Oisin has predominantly been playing in defence, but for the recent defeat against Eastleigh, he was deployed in central midfield, the position we expected him to play when he signed. It’s now felt he is a potential centre half, but he certainly has the attributes to cover both positions.
Born in Derry, he came through Derry City’s youth system before moving to Lincoln, where he signed his first professional deal in December 2021. His senior involvement with the Imps has been limited, making one league appearance alongside outings in cup competitions.
To aid his development, Gallagher has spent much of his career on loan, gaining regular minutes across non-league and the League of Ireland. Spells with Barwell, Peterborough Sports, Drogheda United, and Boston have provided steady game time, with modest goal returns from midfield. Internationally, despite being born in Northern Ireland, he represented the Republic of Ireland at U19 level, earning eight caps.
It’s brilliant to see Oisin back on the map, getting regular minutes at a decent level, and impressing at the same time.
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