Wing Back Flies in From Sky Blues

August 10, 2023 Gary Activity, Lincoln City, Transfers 0

Credit Andrew Vaughan

The Imps have secured the services of wing back Jack Burroughs on a season-long loan from Coventry City.

The 22-year-old appeared 12 times in the Championship for Coventry last season, starting five matches, and can play on either flank, adding depth to the Imps’ squad. He penned a new deal with Mark Robins’ beaten play-off finalists in June, having joined the club as a seven-year-old.

He came through the youth system at Coventry before making his debut in an EFL Trophy game against Forest Green, coming on as a substitute for Jak Hickman. In appearing for the Sky Blues, he became the first player born in this millennium to represent Coventry City. shortly after, he signed his first professional contract at the club before loan spells at Nuneaton Borough and Gloucester City. He spent the 2021/22 season on loan in Scotland with Ross County, appearing 17 times in the SPFL.

In addition to that, he’s represented Scotland at Under 19 and Under 21 level. That experience brought him in contact with Lewis Fiorini, as well as having been a teammate of Tyler Walker last season and former Imps’ loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

“I’m at the stage of my career where I need to play games, I was interested as soon as the club showed an interest in me, and the style of play suits me,” he told the club’s official site.

“I know players who have been here before, such as Lewis Fiorini and Brooke Norton-Cuffy, and they’ve spoken very highly of the club as well as the supporters – how much noise they can create and how they get behind you. It feels like a good place for me to come, show people what I can do and move forward in my career.”

City’s director of football Jez George added: “We have concentrated so far this summer on securing permanent signings but unless something unexpected happens, we will now be concentrating on the loan market to complete the squad.

“Jack is a fantastic addition for us, with the physicality and athleticism we are looking for in this position, ready to play in League One and crucial in our squad build by being able to provide competition in both wing-back positions.”

Giving some insight into his position, Burrough stated his experience upon signing his new Coventry deal in June. “I’ve played on the left and the right, I’ve played out wide and I’ve played in midfield, but now I just want to try and get one position nailed down. I look to next season with optimism because of what I’ve done this season. The performances I have put in I feel I’ve done well and personally, I’m happy, but I know there’s a lot to improve on.” That improvement will now come with a year in the Lincoln City squad, hopefully pushing for a top-half finish in League One.

Mark Robins was also enthused about our new signing last season, telling Coventry Live, “What Jack does do is give you a problem if you’re a defender, and if he gets a little bit more comfortable, he could do anything because athletically he’s a Premier League athlete. He’s really, really good, and I am pleased with what he is doing at the moment.”

We spoke to Coventry City supporter and Real EFL editor Callum Moseley about Burroughs.

“Jack Burroughs is a hard-working, versatile defender and a product of our academy,” Callum said. “After a loan stint with Ross County in the SPFL, Burroughs returned to the Sky Blues and excelled last season.

“He made 12 Championship appearances last season, with five of those being starts. His best game was at left-wing back against Watford, where he comfortably dealt with international winger Ismaila Sarr.

“He can operate as a left-back, right-back, wing-back, or defensive midfielder and will add plenty of versatility to Lincoln’s side for the upcoming campaign.”