Lincoln City have confirmed the signing of former Wigan Athletic right-back Tendayi Darikwa.
The attacking full-back has penned a one-year deal with the Imps, with the option of further year.
A Former League One Winner:
The 32-year-old won the SkyBet League One title with Wigan in 2021/22. He has made 117 appearances in the third tier, just one more than he has managed in the Championship.
Darikwa has close to 400 career appearances, and spent last season in the Cypriot top flight. He played 37 games for Apollon Limassol, before leaving the club earlier in the summer.
The Zimbabwean international came through the ranks at now-League Two outfit Chesterfield, before spending loan spells at Barrow and Hinckley United.
He left the Spireites for Burnley in 2015, before switching to Nottingham Forest two years later, remaining in the second tier.
Manchester United Target… Once Upon a Time:
Darikwa was once a target of Premier League giants Manchester United, as he caught the eye of then manager David Moyes in 2013.
At the time, he said he was not ready for the move.
During his career, he has achieved two promotions out of League Two, and one out of the Championship, alongside his League One title.
Lasse Sorensen Replacement:
Wing-back Lasse Sorensen left Lincoln City earlier in the summer transfer window, joining fellow League One side Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee worth up to a reported £500,000.
Darikwa has seemingly been signed to replace the departing Sorensen, plugging the hole left at right wing-back ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Last term, the Dane made 51 appearances across all competitions.
What Has Been Said?
Speaking to his new club’s website, Darikwa said: “I’m delighted to be here and have the deal done. The ambition of the football club stood out to me and it’s a club with great values.
“The club was so close to getting in the play-offs last season, and I feel we can build on that. I want to be a part of it, I want to help and hopefully we can do that together.
“I can pass my experiences over the years onto a young squad with plenty of talent. I can have an influence in the dressing room as we learn about each other on and off the pitch.”
Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala added: “Tendayi is a player of real calibre and a person with exceptional human qualities, which combined will be a real addition to our squad.
“We needed to look at the position differently and in Tendayi we have identified and recruited someone with different strengths but still the physical attributes a Lincoln City right wing-back requires. He will be a massive influence for us on and off the pitch.”
Not the Usual Lincoln City Signing – Opinion:
The unusual thing about this signing for Lincoln City, is Tendayi Darikwa’s age. He will become the oldest player in Michael Skubala‘s team, with centre-back Adam Jackson aged 30 the only person close to matching his age.
He has League One calibre, having won promotion out the division during his time at Wigan Athletic. The signing provides Lincoln with a right-back proven at the level, who has experience, and adds something different to the City squad.