Sources: English and Scottish clubs in race for TNS star Zach Nolan after Lincoln City trial
League One, League Two and Scottish Premiership clubs are plotting moves to sign TNS star Zach Nolan, sources have told Football Insider.
The 21-year-old has had a stop-start season so far, having made 10 appearances for the Welsh club since he arrived in June, but just four of those have come from the start.
A left-back who can also play as a wing-back, he spent last summer at Lincoln City for pre-season and impressed enough to be included in their summer camp in Portugal.
He has since received high praise for his performances which have now placed him firmly on the radar of clubs in England and Scotland.
Nolan has been compared to Trai Hume, and the word coming out of Northern Irish club Ballymena United, who have had both on the books, is that Nolan is a better talent.
The left-back ranks higher than the Sunderland star on progressive runs, defensive duels, duels won, interceptions and dribbles from before his move to Great Britain.
Why are clubs interested in signing Zach Nolan?
Nolan has caught the eye of a number of watching scouts both in Scotland and England, with a move to the Scottish Premiership or Football League now firmly on the cards.
The left-back describes himself as a "fast attacking defender", and is keen to get forward whenever possible alongside doing his defensive work.
He came through the Bray Wanderers setup in Ireland, and could follow in the footsteps of the likes of Cian Doyle and Billy O'Neill, who both joined EFL clubs during the summer.
Nolan has clocked over 35kph in game speed, similar to the pace hit by the likes of Bradley Barcola, Bryan Mbeumo and Pedro Neto in the Premier League, which has also caught the eye.
The move to TNS during the summer was seen as a significant step up, and clubs are set to track his performances while he continues to adapt to life at the dominant Welsh club.
Which players could Nolan follow in the footsteps of?
Nolan is not the only player being tipped for a move to English football from Ireland in recent years, with clubs keeping a close eye on talents from across the water.
Football Insider revealed in 2025 that Premier League and Championship clubs were keen on Billy O'Neill who, similar to Nolan, impressed coming through at Bray Wanderers.
After breaking into senior football in 2025, he made 35 appearances, scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists for Bray Wanderers as they finished runners-up.
He joined Bristol City during the summer, and has started with their Under-21 side, with the club holding high hopes for his long-term development.
Nolan will be looking to follow in his fellow academy graduate's footsteps should he made the move to English football, and could even land a role in a senior side.