[BFC SITE] Vimal Yoganathan signs until 2028 with Reds

Barnsley Football Club are delighted to announce that Vimal Yoganathan has extended his stay at Oakwell.

The energetic central midfielder has agreed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with a Club option to extend the deal by a further year and joins Oldham Athletic on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old former Liverpool academy product arrived at Barnsley in 2021, initially forming part of the under-16 squad. Vimal became the first player of Tamil heritage to play professionally in England when introduced as a substitute against Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Cup in August 2023. Yoganathan then made his league debut earlier this season at Crawley in August and has gone on to make 10 appearances in all competitions so far this season for the Reds.



"It is not just me who has put the hard work in. A lot of people have helped me throughout the journey." - Vimal Yoganathan (Discussing deal until 2028 at Oakwell)

Additionally, the Trelawnyd native has made 3 appearances for Wales U19, scoring 2 goals.

On penning a new deal at Oakwell, Vimal said, “It's exciting. I'm just looking forward to committing to the club and seeing it as a long-term thing for me.

"It doesn't feel long ago since I joined, but I've obviously come a long way, but that's through the staff and players around me."

Barnsley FC Sporting Director, Mladen Sormaz said, “Vimal is a model professional and an exciting prospect for the future; we are delighted to see that he has committed his future to our football club. He has a maturity beyond his years and great energy. Over the past 12 months, Vimal has been in and around the first team often, and now the next step for him will be to get game time under his belt with Oldham in the first instance before coming back to Oakwell and forcing himself into the first team. I’d like to thank Vimal’s family for committing his future to Barnsley as we transition him into the first team.”



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Oldham will be a good standard to get some "mens" football.Good luck

 

After a slow start, young Vimal seems to be getting good reviews over on Oldham's forum, mainly for his directness. Something I wish we had a little more of in our midfield.

Still, something to be optimistic about.

 

Good to hear.

I think 4-3-3 will suit him (assuming we continue to deploy that formation next season).

Hopefully, he'll be competing for one of the number 8 roles.

 

Great news.

 

I think he looks a great prospect and seems to have something about him, he could be a good replacement if we sell a midfielder or two in the summer.

 

Great to hear. Might be another decent attacking midfielder option next season.

 

I always look to team without the key names in there. You're only as strong as your weakest player. Assuming Phillips and Connell depart.

Nwakali, Russell and Yoganathan doesn't look too shabby.

 

I have liked the look of Vimal and there is something there - but he’s only started three games for Oldham and they’ve won none of the three.

I suspect next season is too soon to be a league one starter.

 

That midfield isn't combative enough. Need a proper holding midfielder in there.ideally one with pace. I wonder if Bland could play that role? Might be better having him out wide though....

 

Straight replacement for Benson who is out of contract and been on very big wages so financially and recruitment wise it's a no brainer.