Burton Albion have announced the signing of JJ McKiernan from Lincoln City on a season-long loan, as per the club’s official website.
The Southampton-born man spent the second half of last season on loan at the Pirelli Stadium, starting 19 consecutive games as he was a key part of the Brewers’ escape from relegation.
McKiernan’s Career To Date
The central midfielder, who can also play in a more advanced role spent time in the youth team at Andover Town before moving to Watford in the summer of 2019.
He never made a senior appearance for the Hornets, going out on loan twice before getting released.
His first loan spell was with Bohemians where he made one brief appearance in the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2022.
After spending the summer of 2022 in preseason training with the Watford first team, he joined Eastleigh on loan in August 2022.
McKiernan’s spell with the Spitfires was largely successful. He made 41 appearances in the National League, scoring four times as his side finished in a solid ninth place.
Although he was released by Watford in 2023, his impressive loan spell earned him a move to the EFL with Morecambe, where he was again successful. The youngster scored an impressive seven goals in 28 league games, including the Shrimps’ first hattrick away from home in the EFL.
The start of the 2024/25 campaign saw the 23-year-old take another step up as he joined Lincoln City in League One.
After an unimpressive start to the campaign, in which he played just 238 league minutes for the Imps, he joined Burton Albion on loan.
McKiernan found much more success with Gary Bowyer’s side, making 19 appearances and registering two combined goals and assists as the Brewers avoided relegation.
Burton Albion’s Project Under Gary Bowyer
When Bowyer took the helm at Burton it looked like they were destined for relegation, but the 54-year-old guided them to nine wins from 27 games which meant they finished the season in 20th place.
The Brewers have been stuck in the bottom half of League One for the last five seasons, but the appointment of the former Blackburn Rovers manager has seen some excitement emerge around the East Staffordshire-based club.
They have already tied Kegs Chauke and Finn Delap down to new contracts and they have announced the signings of Dylan Williams and Fabio Tavares, two players who were on loan with the club last season.
McKiernan will therefore be the third loanee from last campaign who they have brought back to the Pirelli Stadium for this season, giving them an excellent foundation on which to build.
On the signing of McKiernan, Bowyer said:
“It’s great news for us all that JJ has re-signed. We all love his personality and he had a big impact in the dressing room and on the pitch in last year’s success in retaining our League One status.
“We look forward to working again with JJ as we know he will create chances and score goals.”
Writer’s View
The move should be an excellent one for both McKiernan and Burton Albion.
The Northern Irishman was a key part of the Brewers’ success in the second half of last season and he clearly has the trust of his manager, meaning he should get regular minutes in the third tier once again.
He will fill the void that Gary Bowyer previously had in attacking midfield and his attacking dynamism should help to push the Brewers up the table.
It is an interesting move from Lincoln City’s perspective as they are loaning McKiernan to a team who could potentially be a direct rival next season.
