Limerick striker signs for English League One side Wigan Athletic

EXCITING Limerick striker Dara Costelloe has signed for Sky Bet League One side Wigan Athletic.

The 22-year-old has joins Wigan from Burnley and has signed a contract with the Latics until the summer of 2028, with the option of a further year.

Commenting on his move to Wigan Athletic, Dara Costelloe told the Wigan Athletic website: “I’m delighted to get the move over the line. It’s been a great day for me and my family - I brought my Dad over with me, and having seen the stadium, we definitely made the right choice.

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“It is a great Club, and I cannot wait to get started. I’ve spoken to the Gaffer for quite a bit, and the plan that was outlined is to get this Club back to the Championship. That’s my ambition as well, so we’ll try to achieve that.

“I’ve seen the strikers the Gaffer has worked with, and how he’s helped progress their careers. Hopefully, he can do the same with me."

The highly-rated Costelloe, who attended Lisnagry NS and Castletroy College, played schoolboy football with Aisling Annacotty.

The Limerick native, who played Kennedy Cup with the LDSL, joined League of Ireland side Galway in 2017 and made his senior debut at the age of just 15.

Dara Costelloe became the youngest player to take the field for Galway in a seniro fixture when coming on as a substitute in their SSE Airtricity League fixture with Finn Harps agaed just 15.

Costelloe made a big impact after joining Galway United’s under-15 team in 2017 from Aisling Annacotty.

The talented footballer came into Galway’s under-17 squad in 2018 making 17 appearances.

The left-sided prospect was rewarded with a first-team contract for the 2019 season at Galway.

Costelloe moved to Burnley before the 2020/21 season.

It didn’t take long for the Irishman to adapt to his new surroundings, finishing as top scorer for the U23s in his maiden year, and being included on the first-team bench for the last seven games of the 2021/22 Premier League season.

His EFL debut for Burnley soon followed against Huddersfield Town in July 2022, which was the first of four appearances in the Sky Bet Championship.

Costelloe went on to gain experience out on loan in both England and Scotland, with his temporary stays at Bradford City, St Johnstone and Dundee providing him with the platform to enjoy an outstanding 2024/25 season.

Costelloe netted five goals in 14 starts for Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League Two, before returning to Burnley at the start of 2025 after sustaining an injury.

Fresh off the back of signing a new contract at Turf Moor, Costelloe headed to Northampton Town for the next stage of his development, where his goal-scoring form continued.

He made the step-up to Sky Bet League One, bagging six goals in 15 league appearances for the Cobblers, impressing with his finishing and movement.

Joining at the start of Ryan Lowe’s new era at the Brick Community Stadium, Costelloe will now be hoping to flourish under the former EFL marksman and fire the Latics to success in 2025/26.

Wigan Athletic Head Coach Ryan Lowe said: “Dara is a forward who I have admired for some time, and I’m delighted he’s decided to come to us.

“Dara has all the attributes we are seeking in a new signing – and is hungry, ambitious, and wanting to improve.

“He is a real threat in the final third, and already has experience at this level following his successful spell at Northampton Town last season.

“Dara adds to the attacking options we have at the Club, and we’re looking forward to working with him and helping him to develop his game further. It enables us to have some really healthy competition in the striking department, which will spur each of the lads on throughout the season.