Lincoln City have secured the signing of forward Rob Street from SkyBet League Two side Cheltenham Town.
The 22-year-old has penned a four-year contract with the Imps, after an undisclosed fee was agreed by the two football league clubs.
Rob Street Joins Lincoln City:
Street came through the ranks at Premier League Crystal Palace, gaining first-team experience during a trio of loan spells away from Selhurst Park.
The forward spent time at Torquay United, Newport County and Shrewsbury Town, before he exited Palace. He turned down a contract extension last summer, opting instead to join then-SkyBet League One Cheltenham.
The majority of his career goal-tally to date has come in the youth set-up at the Eagles, but he did manage three goals across 26 all competition appearances last term.
What Does He Bring to the Imps?
The former Palace youngster brings more than just the promise of goals as his career develops. Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala said the forward will bring “quality” and “depth” to the Imps attacking ranks, when speaking to the club’s website.
His underlying statistics present the story of an exciting prospect, adding qualities to the Lincoln forward line that fit within their structures.
Street will join Ben House, ex-Coventry City striker Tyler Walker, and young duo of Freddier Draper and Jovon Makama, in the Imps’ forward line.
What Has Been Said?
In Lincoln City’s announcement of the signing, Skubala said: “Rob will add quality and depth to our forward options, which we will need to compete on all fronts next season. He has strength, pace, athleticism and physicality, plus the technical attributes to score goals.
“Rob now needs to convert potential into consistent performances and we think that we can help him to do that in our environment. He is a really strong signing for the club.”
Director of football Jez George added: “Rob’s goal stats belie his qualities, and we are more interested in his underlying metrics and data which fit our profile for this position. Rob has a unique combination of attributes which makes him a really exciting prospect.
“This is our type of ‘under the radar’ signing and the length of contract demonstrates our belief in Rob. He knows all about League One, he is ready to contribute immediately and he has the elite mentality required to maximise his undoubted potential.”
A Signing That is Better Than the Numbers Suggest – Opinion:
It is easy to look at goalscoring stats and make assertions about an attacking player, particularly a striker.
As The Deck‘s Ryan Whelan explained, his main attributes lie in his pressing game. That is something Lincoln City play into with striker Ben House one of League One’s best in that department.
Lincoln’s director of football Jez George described Street’s signing as “under the radar”, and I think that is an apt description. His goalscoring exploits do not set the world alight, but his potential, pressing game and underlying numbers paint the picture of a good signing.
