I’m a bit behind on this one, as I’ve been out down the bottom of the garden watching the sunset, like a hippy.
The Imps have completed the signing of creative winger Hakeeb Adelakun on a long-term contract, and I’ve got to say I’m happy about it. Why? Because I do know about this player, a lot, and I’ve written about him before.
For a start, he was one of the Championship free agents I identified in May as one I thought might be of interest, and given how random and surprising Michael Appleton’s recruitment is, I’m pleased to have got a name right! When he left Bristol City and joined Rotherham on loan, I thought it was a great move too. I’ve watched him from his time at Scunthorpe and always felt there was a player who could be seriously good in red and white. I never thought it would happen though, not once.
The 25-year-old has more than 200 senior appearances under his belt after starting out as a youth at West Ham. His best football came during his time with Scunthorpe when they were challenging for a place in the Championship. The form earned him a move to Ashton Gate, but that didn’t work out, and loan spells at Rotherham and, latterly Hull City brought his Bristol City career to an end.
He told the club’s official site: “I’m absolutely buzzing to get this done and excited for the opportunity. I know Tom Hopper well, so I’ve been speaking to him about the club, he’s really drawn me in and made me think I want to get on this journey. I like to get at defenders and make stuff happen, to create opportunities and score goals myself. Whenever I’ve played against Lincoln there’s always been a lot of noise and atmosphere, so I can’t wait for those fans to be on my side.”
Unsurprisingly, Michael Appleton is clearly delighted with his business on his first day back.: “Hakeeb is a talented winger who has good experience at League One and has also played at a higher level. He is a pacey and creative player and a good addition to our attacking options.”
I’ll write more about the move tomorrow, but this is exactly what we need – a right-winger with pace and creativity, someone who can run at players and has proven himself in League One. His loan spells haven’t been great, but I think a fresh impetus will reveal itself with a permanent move. I love a good winger, from David Puttnam to Gareth Ainsworth, Nathan Arnold to Dany N’Guessan, and I see a little of the Frenchman in Adelakun. He’s got goals, he’s got talent, and I’m sure he can thrive with the right management.
I might be shot down for this, but I think this is a marquee signing, I really do. as I always say, a signing can only be judged once he’s played games, but Hakeeb Adelakun has all the ingredients to be a top, top player for Lincoln City.
Right, I’ll go back to my sunset now.