City have continued building their squad for the 2023/24 season with the addition of Danish goalkeeper Lukas Jensen on a permanent contract.
The commanding 24-year-old Dane was a free agent this summer, having most recently been on the books of Premier League side Burnley.
Jensen began his career with Danish sides Helsingor and Hellerkup IK. He joined Burnley in 2019, and while not appearing for the Premier League side, he gained EFL experience through loan spells at Bolton Wanderers, Carlisle United, and Accrington Stanley. He made 35 appearances for Stanley in the 2022/23 season, appearing in our 2-2 draw with them in the Papa John’s Trophy. He was dismissed twice in March, but kept ten clean sheets, not bad for a keeper in a relegated team.
He was also awarded the club’s Community Champion award by the PFA, setting up a Danish head-to-head with our own winner, Lasse Sorensen. Expected to see one of our Great Danes at a school/fete/charity/supermarket near you this season!
The 6ft 6in keeper has signed a two-year contract with the Imps and says City’s reputation for developing young goalkeepers in recent years is one of the reasons he wanted to move to Lincolnshire.
“It’s been in the pipeline for a few weeks now and I couldn’t be happier to get it over the line. I’ve been following the club in recent years and have seen loads of young keepers who have played lots of games.
“Having spoken to people at the club, everything they’ve told me shows me this is the perfect fit. Lincoln is definitely the right call for what I need now and in the future.
“I believe we can bring the best out of each other in terms of the way we are going to play and how that’s going to suit me.”
City’s head coach Mark Kennedy said: “We are delighted to sign Lukas. He has the attributes that we look for in this position; he commands his penalty box, he’s an excellent shot-stopper, is aerially dominant, and will be a presence in our goal.
“He was our No.1 target for this position and I am sure he will really enjoy working closing with Scott Fry, our goalkeeping coach. This is another positive signing for us.”
Director of Football, Jez George explained the change of strategy from signing loan goalkeepers in the past to Lukas being a permanent signing, adding: “In the past, we have identified the best goalkeeper on loan in League Two from the previous season as our best option to sign.
“The only difference on this occasion is that Lukas was on loan in League One and was then a free agent after leaving Burnley, so became a permanent option. That means he is our asset, so the club can benefit if he continues to develop and goes on to play at a higher level.”
It brings the summer’s recruitment total to three players, with Alistair Smith and Reeco Hackett joining last week. It gives the Imps three keeper options, with Jordan Wright likely to be challenging for the first team spot, and Sam Long potentially heading out on loan after challenging loans at Bromley and Boston last season.
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