City’s transfer deadline triple
Lincoln City added three new players to its first team squad before the transfer window closed.
Forward Justin Obikwu (above) has joined the Imps from Coventry City on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old - who has represented Trinidad & Tobago at international level - steps up having impressed with two loan spells in Sky Bet League Two with Grimsby Town. He scored 10 goals across two spells with the Mariners.
Head coach Michael Skubala said: “Justin has a profile that is extremely interesting, which we feel compliments and supplements our forward players. He has pace and power that along with Rob Street, gives us a real ‘threat in-behind' as a central striker.
“When we then consider Reeco Hackett, Ben House, Jack Moylan, Oscar Thorn, Erik Ring and Francis Okoronkwo, as well as Freddie Draper and James Collins, we feel that we have every type of attacking option to be threat against any type of opposition.”
Director of football Jez George added: “This is an opportunity for us to add firepower and more attacking weapons to the squad’s armoury. We value multi-functional attacking players with pace and power, and Justin ticks those boxes in addition to an excellent goalscoring record in League Two last season.
“We know the challenges of remaining competitive over a 46-game league season, as well as our desire to take all the cup competitions seriously, so that requires depth in the squad. Justin adds to our array of threats in the forward positions.”
Adam Reach, 32, (below) can also play in a more attacking role and has signed a one-year contract with the Imps.
He has vast EFL experience, having represented Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion and Wycombe Wanderers. He has clocked up almost 500 senior appearances and scored 44 goals.
Skubala said: “Adam is fantastic player with an illustrious career in the Championship and a real hunger for more success which matches our ambitions. The pursuit of a specialist in this position has been a challenge for us all summer, so we are pleased that in biding our time, we have secured such a good option to complement Ryley and the squad overall. Adam needs no introduction. He will add quality to the group, an attacking option in this position, and has the ability to play in other positions. In the circumstances, it is a really smart move by the club.”
George added: “In looking at all options to sign a left back this summer, we bought Ryley Towler knowing that he possessed outstanding attributes to play the role as a hybrid left centre-back, and so wanted a complementary skillset with our other option for that position. In identifying and securing Adam, we have done that.
“We also value Adam’s versatility in a number of attacking positions as well as his experience, most recently demonstrated by him starting in both League One play-off semi-finals last season. We are delighted to have been able to sign a player of Adam’s calibre on transfer deadline day.”
Midfielder Fin Barbrook (bottom) has also arrived at the LNER stadium on a season-long loan from Ipswich Town.
The 20-year-old, who has made one first-team appearance for the Tractor Boys and has had first-team experience on loan at Sutton United, will add depth to the Imps' midfield options.
Skubala welcomed the young player: “We really like Fin’s attributes, his ability to play as a No.6 or No.8 in our midfield and see him adding competition in this position.
“We were really impressed with Fin when we met him during this process, so we know that he possesses the mentality to do well for us and to cope with the demands of League One.
“He has a brilliant role model in Conor McGrandles, as a similar type of player, and I look forward to seeing him grow throughout the season.”
George added: “Fin is a player that we’ve known about since a loan at Chelmsford City. He did really well at Sutton United last season, making 35 appearances and gaining valuable experience in the National League, and his continued progress with Ipswich this pre-season, culminating with a place on the bench for their first game in the Championship and a start in the Carabao Cup, makes us believe that he can make the next step into League One.
“We sanctioned the sale of Ethan Hamilton with this deal in mind, and we are grateful to Ipswich for trusting us with the next stage of Fin’s development.”
Pictures: Chris Vaughan / Lincoln City
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