It’s been a busy day for Lincoln City with goalkeeper Jordan Wright and assistant coach Chris Cohen departing the LNER Stadium for new EFL clubs.
It comes on the same day that midfielder Conor McGrandles signed for the club for the third time, on an initial two-year contract.
Jordan Wright Makes the Short Trip to the Coast:
It was announced on June 14 that goalkeeper Jordan Wright has joined Sky Bet League Two side Grimsby Town for an undisclosed fee.
Wright made 31 appearances for the Imps, keeping ten clean sheets in that time after joining from Nottingham Forest in January 2022. The 25-year-old also found first team football at Alfreton Town, Kettering Town, and Hereford while on loan from Forest.
In his first season at the club, he experienced EFL first-team football after an injury to first choice goalkeeper Josh Griffiths.
In more recent seasons, Wright has struggled to remain as the first-choice goalkeeper, after strong seasons from now Swansea City keeper Carl Rushworth, and current number one, Lukas Jensen.
Wright joins the Mariners, and head coach David Artell was delighted with his new goalkeeper. He said: “He’s an excellent shot-stopper and a commanding presence. He’s got good experience at a level and now he needs to play regularly over an extended period of time, so he’s now got a different challenge ahead of him.”
Imps’ director of football, Jez George, spoke about Wright’s departure and said: “It was only fair and respectful to allow Jordan to pursue his desire for regular football and the opportunity to establish himself as a number one goalkeeper within the EFL.”
Chris Cohen heads to the Championship:
The opening day of the summer transfer window also saw the departure of joint-assistant coach Chris Cohen from the club, as he headed to Championship outfit Stoke City.
Cohen joins ‘The Potters’ in the same position as assistant head coach.
He started at the LNER Stadium in January, helping Michael Skubala and assistant coach Tom Shaw in the remainder of the 2023/24 season, and overseeing a crazy 16 game unbeaten run that put the Imps within touching distance of the Sky Bet League One play-off places in April.
Cohen’s footballing career started with over 400 senior appearances for West Ham United, Yeovil Town and Nottingham Forest, until he retired as a player in the summer of 2018.
The now 37-year-old has since gained coaching experience at the likes of Forest, Luton Town and Southampton, and joins Stoke City, who finished 17th in the Championship last season.
Lincoln City director of football, Jez George commented on Cohen’s departure to the club’s website. He said: “Chris is someone of the highest calibre and he leaves with the respect of everyone at the club. He is always welcome at the LNER Stadium and we wish him well with his next role.”