Luke McNicholas

Last updated

Luke McNicholas
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-01-01) 1 January 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth Belcarra, County Mayo, Ireland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Forest Green Rovers
Youth career
Manulla
Sligo Rovers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2019–2024 Sligo Rovers 38 (0)
2021Finn Harps (loan) 0 (0)
2021–2022Cliftonville (loan) 24 (0)
2023–2024Wrexham (loan) 0 (0)
2024–2025 Wrexham 0 (0)
2024–2025Rochdale (loan) 9 (0)
2025– Forest Green Rovers 0 (0)
International career
2018 Republic of Ireland U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 January 2025

Luke McNicholas (born 1 January 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club Forest Green Rovers.

Contents

Career

McNicholas began his career at Mayo soccer team Manulla.

McNicholas began his professional career at Sligo Rovers, but was loaned out to fellow League of Ireland Premier Division side Finn Harps where he didn't make a single appearance, however, upon return he got his chance due to injury to Sligo Rovers keeper Edward McGinty. [1]

On 17 August 2021, he was loaned out to NIFL Premiership club Cliftonville. [2] During his time there, Cliftonville won the Northern Ireland Football League Cup and came runners up in the NIFL Premiership. [3]

On 11 August 2023, after establishing himself as Sligo Rovers' number 1, McNicholas would join newly promoted EFL League Two side Wrexham on a short-term loan, with the option for Wrexham to buy in January 2024. [4] He made his debut for the club on 10 October 2023, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–3 away win at Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy. [5] On 23 January 2024, Wrexham announced that they had signed McNicholas on a permanent deal, joining on a two-and-a-half-year deal. [6]

On 15 July 2024, McNicholas joined Rochdale on a season-long loan. [7] He was recalled on 1 February 2025, after injuries disrupted his loan spell. [8]

On 3 July 2025, McNicholas joined National League club Forest Green Rovers on a permanent deal. [9]

Career statistics

As of match played on 9 November 2024 [10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational Cup [a] League Cup [b] OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sligo Rovers 2019 LOI Premier Division 20001030
2020 LOI Premier Division000000
2021 LOI Premier Division20102 [c] 050
2022 LOI Premier Division80104 [c] 0130
2023 LOI Premier Division26010270
Total380301060480
Finn Harps (loan) 2021 LOI Premier Division0000
Cliftonville (loan) 2021–22 NIFL Premiership 2404030310
Wrexham (loan) 2023–24 League Two 0000003 [d] 030
Wrexham 2023–24 League Two 000000
2024–25 League One 000 [d] 000
Total0000000000
Rochdale (loan) 2024–25 National League 90000090
Forest Green Rovers 2025–26 National League 0000000000
Career total740704060910

Honours

Cliftonville

Wrexham

References

  1. "Who is Luke McNicholas? Cliftonville's new signing from Sligo Rovers?". Belfast Live. 18 August 2021.
  2. "In good Nich". Cliftonville FC. 17 August 2021.
  3. "L. McNicholas". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  4. "SIGNED Wrexham sign goalkeeper Luke McNicholas on short-term contract". Wrexham AFC. 11 August 2023.
  5. "Wrexham beat Crewe to reach knockout stages in the EFL Trophy". The Leader. 10 October 2023.
  6. "SIGNED | Luke McNicholas joins on permanent transfer from Sligo Rovers". wrexhamafc.co.uk. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  7. "Goalkeeper Joins On Loan". Rochdale AFC. 15 July 2024.
  8. "SQUAD NEWS Goalkeeper Luke McNicholas returns to Wrexham". Rochdale AFC. 1 February 2025. Archived from the original on 2 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  9. "Luke McNicholas joins FGR". Forest Green Rovers FC. 3 July 2025.
  10. "Republic of Ireland - L. McNicholas - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.
  11. "wrexhamafc.co.uk story".