DAVID McGoldrick knows there will be ‘doubters’ about him signing for Barnsley aged 37 but believes he can contribute at the top end of League One.
The striker joined the Reds on a one-year deal, linking up with friend Conor Hourihane.
He is thought to be their oldest signing since 41-year-old goalkeeper Mike Pollitt joined in 2013.
McGoldrick told the Chronicle: “I have always said, the minute I know I can’t play, I will never go out on the pitch and discard my career.
“I don’t want anyone to ever say ‘he’s gone’ or ‘he can’t do it any more’.
“I will know when it happens but I know I am far away from that.
“I know my body and my lifestyle is to look after myself. I am a gym fanatic.
“I want to prove people wrong.
“There are probably doubters about my age and signing for Barnsley.
“But I have been successful at most of the teams I have been at recently, no matter my age.
“You have to earn the shirt.
“Conor has not told me I will come here and play. I have to earn the respect of the lads. They might know my name from being around a long time, but I have to earn the right to play.”
McGoldrick is looking forward to potentially linking up with last season’s top-scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn. He said: “He’s a great player. I spoke to Conor a lot about him before I signed. There are other good players as well but he will be vital for Barnsley this season.”
McGoldrick’s signing is the latest step in Barnsley’s journey away from their focus purely on youth development, having only signed players aged 25 or younger for several years.
“Previously Barnsley signed young players and had an age limit.
“I am just slightly past that.
“The dressing room is so important. Conor knows that.
“You can do everything right on the pitch but it won’t come together if you don’t have a good dressing room.
“You need senior players demanding how to do things, how to live life and I believe I do that. You don’t have to shout and scream at the young boys.
“I am a 37-year-old man who lives the right life and wants to be the best he can.
“That will rub off on the young lads.”
McGoldrick is hoping to compete at the top end of League One last season.
“With the club’s stature, players and manager, we want to be up there.
“It’s a building process. There is work to be done in the market.
“I imagine Conor wants to bring some of his own players in as well.
“I know they had an off season last season and the fans weren’t there.
“Conor wants a good relationship with the fans, that only happens with us working hard on the pitch and wearing the badge with honour.”
McGoldrick has been a professional footballer for more than 20 years for ten different clubs, including Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Sheffield United for whom he scored eight goals in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season.
He then netted 25 goals for League One Derby County in the 2022/23 campaign – playing alongside Hourihane who was also a team-mate for the Blades and the Republic of Ireland.
McGoldrick then dropped down to League Two with hometown club Notts County in 2023 and scored 13 then 17 goals in the last two seasons before leaving this summer.
He has 180 career goals in more than 600 games, including 77 in the Championship and 47 at League One level in 94 games.
He has played against the Reds 13 times, scoring five goals.
