Ex-Chelsea and Leicester City star pays tribute to Barnsley and the Oakwell loan spell he 'absolutely loved'
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The 33-year-old recently announced his retirement from playing following an underwhelming few years.
A product of Manchester United’s academy, Drinkwater spent time on loan at Barnsley during the 2011/12 season while on the books at Old Trafford.
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Hide AdHe made 18 appearances for the Reds, scoring once and registering six assists.
![Danny Drinkwater spent time on loan at Barnsley early on in his career. Image: Clint Hughes/Getty Images](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI3MTU3OGY5LWExZGQtNDYxZC1iODFkLTk5MzRjOGZjODYzNDpjZGU4ZGI3YS05ZDFkLTRiZGQtYTdiMS00MDc4NjU2OWE2ZTU=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Danny Drinkwater spent time on loan at Barnsley early on in his career. Image: Clint Hughes/Getty Images](/img/placeholder.png)
It proved to be his final loan spell away from Manchester United, as a permanent move to Leicester City was wrapped up five months into his Oakwell spell.
Speaking about his Manchester United departure on The High Performance Podcast, Drinkwater said: “I went through the loan structure that's really beneficial as a player at a young age.
"I was about 21 I think. It was when I had a couple of unsuccessful loans that didn't really go to plan. Then, I was at Barnsley, which I absolutely loved. [I] loved that club.
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Hide Ad"Leicester [City] came in for a bid and then [Manchester] United were saying 'I think it's time'.”
His move to the Foxes proved to be the beginning of a golden chapter in his career.
Drinkwater helped Leicester escape the Championship before going on to star in their historic Premier League title-winning campaign.
A switch to Chelsea in 2017 put the brakes on the midfielder’s progress and his career fizzled out with a string of underwhelming loan stints.