Lincoln City have announced the deadline day signing of Ipswich Town midfielder Fin Barbrook on a season-long loan.
The 20-year old midfielder arrives at the LNER Stadium after one appearance for the tractor boys this season.
A Player In Development
Barbrook began his football career with Ipswich Town’s academy at age six. He signed his first professional contract in March 2023 alongside his twin brother, Harry.
Barbrook has gained recent experience through loan spells at National League South’s Chelmsford City in 2023 and then National League’s Sutton United last season.During his time at Gander Green Lane Barbrook was named Players’ Player and Young Player of the Year after an impressive campaign.
Barbrook made his senior debut for Ipswich in August in a Carabao Cup defeat to Bromley, in which he started. His impressive pre-season around the first team also saw him score the winning goal for Ipswich’s U21s against Leeds United in Premier League 2.
Now joining Lincoln City on a season-long loan with an option of a January recall clause. The move positions him as a most likely replacement for the recently departed Ethan Hamilton, who transferred to Dundee FC.
With a chance to get his first taste of EFL football this can prove to be a significant step in his development. Ipswich will monitor his progress closely as he aims to develop to a Championship player and help the Imps to a potential play-off push.
Strong Praise
Lincoln Head Coach Michael Skubala said: “We really like Fin’s attributes, his ability to play as a No.6 or No.8 in our midfield and see him adding competition in this position.”
He has a brilliant role model in Conor McGrandles, as a similar type of player, and I look forward to seeing him grow throughout the season.”
Director of Football Jez George also added: “Fin is a player that we’ve known about since a loan at Chelmsford City. He did really well at Sutton United last season, making 35 appearances and gaining valuable experience in the National League, and his continued progress with Ipswich this pre-season, culminating with a place on the bench for their first game in the Championship and a start in the Carabao Cup, makes us believe that he can make the next step into League One.
Writers View
The arrival of Fin Barbrook is a significant step for both Lincoln City and Barbrook, who is eager to impress for the Imps while keeping an eye on breaking into the Ipswich Town first team. The move also provides more options for Michael Skubala’s side following the sales of both Ethan Hamilton and Ethan Erhahon.
Following the recent acquisition of record signing Ivan Varfolomeev from Slovan Liberec, Lincoln’s midfield offers new possibilities alongside the established duo of Conor McGrandles and Tom Bayliss. Barbrook’s first season in the EFL could add a fresh option for the Imps as he aims to secure a place in the first team.
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