Lincoln City have announced the short-term loan signing of winger Chiedozie Ogbene from Premier League side Ipswich Town to become their tenth addition of the summer.
On top of that, he also becomes the sides sixth loan signing, which may present a problem for head coaches Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw with the pair only able to name five in a matchday squad.
And with three of those loan acquisitions also being attackers, Ogbene’s place in the side is far from guaranteed with competition from Reeco Hackett and Rob Street already in the squad.
Although, Ogbene does have the benefit of his versality on his side having previously featured as a right wing-back at the likes of Luton Town, while in the Premier League, and Sheffield United during a loan spell there last season.
That spell with Luton was arguably the most promising of his career as he joined the Bedfordshire outfit in their only Premier League campaign and went on to make 30 appearances as the side were relegated.
However, the 29-year-old has never really recovered from an ACL injury that he suffered in the 2024/25 season as Luton were relegated for the second successive season.
Despite that, he still earnt himself a move back to the Premier League with his current side Ipswich Town, but has only made a combined nine appearances in two seasons with the Tractor Boys.
He then went on to join Sheffield United for the second half of last season where he made 13 appearances, contributing with a goal and an assist in the process.
The Republic of Ireland international also has previous Championship experience with Rotherham United, where he spent four years, making 136 appearances as they bounced between the Championship and League One.
It was in that relegation battle with Rotherham United that he shone the most, bagging himself 12 goal involvements in 39 Championship appearances.
Ogbene now joins City in the week they picked up their first ever EFL Championship points and he said: “I’m really excited to be here – I had a positive conversation with Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw and felt really wanted.
“This is a good opportunity and a great platform for myself to help the club, but the club can also help me. I’ve been around the Championship for a while, and I know it’s a physical league. We know how tough it can be and how it’s physically demanding.
“You need a team that can buy in and pull in the same direction. Looking at this team and this football club, and the success of last year, the mindset here mirrors what I want to do, and I really want to be part of it.
“I bring pace and power, I’m willing to work hard and I’m energetic. I’ve got experience as well, so I’d hope that I can make an impact for the team and help the team on both sides of the pitch.
“I’ve played across the front three before, right wing and right wing-back, so I’m versatile and I’m willing to give everything I have for this jersey.”
City’s sporting director, Jez George, also spoke on the newest addition and he said: “We have tried to identify a player with Chieo’s profile for the wide right position in our team all summer.
We are delighted with this signing at the close of the window, in reality, we didn’t anticipate being able to sign a player of Chieo’s calibre and pedigree.
“But these opportunities sometimes present themselves towards the transfer deadline, and this was one we had to take, once this was a possibility, we moved quickly to do everything possible to convince Chieo that we are the right club for him.
“To have managed to sign him against far bigger and more established clubs in the Championship speaks volumes for how Chieo sees us and what he values most in this move.
“We know that he can have a massive impact for us, on and off the pitch, and we are delighted to secure him as our final signing of the summer.”