Bradford City promotion-winner Jay Benn has been released by League One side Lincoln City following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
The 23-year-old joined the Bantams back in August on a season-long loan deal, months after his successful stint with National League side Solihull Moors came to a conclusion with the side reaching the play-off final.
However, despite achieving promotion with Graham Alexander’s side this season following a dramatic added time winner against Fleetwood, it isn’t enough to see Lincoln extend his deal and he’ll move onto pastures new.
Lincoln confirm defensive exit
With confirmation via the club’s official website, Lincoln City have confirmed full-back Jay Benn was one of four players that have been released by the League One side.
The defender has been with Lincoln since the summer of 2022, after arriving from National League side FC Halifax Town but has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular.
Instead, Benn’s had loan spells with the likes of Bohemians FC, Solihull Moors and most-recently Bradford City in League Two.
However, with his contract ending this summer, Michael Skubala’s side have confirmed Benn will be leaving the football club.
How has he fared this season?
Following a successful loan stint with Solihull Moors, Benn was handed an EFL loan move to Bradford City in late-August for the entreaty of the season.
He made a singular EFL Cup appearance for the Imps against Harrogate Town before switching to the Bantams.
Benn registered his first goal-contribution on his debut for the club as they were held by Newcastle United’s U21s in the EFL Trophy.
In total, the 23-year-old made 15 appearances across all competitions for the Bantams, providing four assists but didn’t feature for the club in 2025 due to injuries and tactical alterations.
Where next?
Benn excelled in the National League, though he is potentially unlikely to want to drop to the fifth tier again – especially after helping Bradford towards their promotion back to League One.
He can operate as a right-back or right-sided centre-back in a back three/five system, which adds an element of versatility which would benefit whichever side he opts to sign for next.
Andy Woodman’s Bromley are likely to know him from his Solihull appearances and could create a possible destination. Similarly, sides like Harrogate Town and Tranmere Rovers may also present themselves as suitable options for the 23-year-old.
In-truth, it remains to be seen as to where Benn will move onto next, but after earning a League Two promotion medal there is a good chance he’d want to get himself back in the mix of more silverware with his next move.
Bradford fans, would you take him back?