Lincoln City have dipped into the loan market before the end of the transfer market, confirming the arrival of a striker who excelled on loan in League Two last season.
The club have been in the market for additional depth to their frontline, after maintaining Robert Street amid a bid from Luton Town.
Lincoln Sign Talisman
Confirmed by the club’s official website, Justin Obikwu has joined on a season-long loan from Coventry City.
Obikwu has previously excelled in two loan spells in the division below. First joining Grimsby Town on loan in January 2024, the striker contributed three goals, which were crucial to their League Two survival bid.
The Mariners decided to continue with the striker, signing him up for another season last deadline day.
Obikwu’s development skyrocketed under David Artell last season. Tallying seven goals in 22 appearances amid an injury-riddled campaign.
Justin has an excellent stature and is a natural finisher who makes good use of his taller build.
When fit, he was a ruthless finisher in Grimsby’s black and white, and crucial to their play-off push last season.
At the age of 21, he is an excellent mould for a striker. Offering many positive attributes for a young striker.
Is This A Good Signing for Lincoln City?
The time feels right for Obikwu to take the leap to League One.
Grimsby fans would have liked to see a third spell for the Coventry City man; however, his parent club opted to extend his deal and continue his development in a higher division.
He operates best in a front two, and was at his most prolific in February when Artell switched to a 3-5-2 system. Obikwu benefited greatly from a partnership with the experienced Danny Rose.
Lincoln City are quite versatile within their set-ups, playing Freddie Draper and Street behind James Collins in their most recent outing.
Deliveries from Reeco Hackett could be an excellent prospect for the frontman. Additionally, a strike partnership with Collins could see the striker continue his goal-scoring form.
However, injuries largely punctured Obikwu’s chances last season.
Out for lengthy periods of last season, a big worry is his fitness and reliability.
However, the Lincolnshire outfit do boast a healthy mix of youth and experience in the strikers already with the club.
Obikwu will benefit greatly from the experience of Collins. Also, stepping up to a side established in the top half of League One should provide a positive environment for his development.
Clearly in high regard at Coventry, this could be an excellent signing for Lincoln.
What Has Been Said?
On the signing of Obikwu, manager 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.”