The Imps have completed the permanent signing of exciting wide player Erik Ring on a long-term contract.
He has signed a deal which runs until the summer of 2028, making the move from his boyhood club, AIK Stockholm. It’s a move about which a lot has been written, and finally, the club have got it over the line, subject to Home Office approval.
“Joining Lincoln City feels like the right step for me, to come in and play at a high level and as part of a young and ambitious team,” said Erik, who has been capped by Sweden at Under 21 level on two occasions.
“I’ve played for AIK since I was 15 and have been training with the first-team since 2020. I’m a supporter of AIK so playing for them has been amazing and the club has meant a lot to me. I would not have left unless I thought it was a really good opportunity, which is how I see Lincoln.
“I’m really happy to be here. I’ve heard the fans create a great atmosphere and I’m looking forward to what we can create together.”
While this is certainly a marquee capture, a player coming from a top-flight club with European ambitions to forge a career in England, manager Michael Skubala did outline the need for patience, as well as playing up Ring’s potential.
“Erik is a really exciting young player, with huge potential, and possesses the pace and power that we have wanted to add to the squad,” said Michael. “He is direct, can beat players in 1v1s, is equally adept on either flank and can be real attacking weapon for us, to create and score goals.
“We believe Erik can make an impact for us this season but we should also be patient with him as he adapts to the physical demands and intensity of English football.”
I can reveal that the Imps have put a lot of work into the deal. Director of Football Jez George has been to Stockholm to liaise with AIK and the player and was eager to get the deal done once news broke in Sweden. Given that his name emerged last Tuesday as a target, it’s possible that other clubs could have swooped in, as happened with Trai Hume a few seasons ago.
That didn’t happen, and Jez is clearly delighted to have got his man. “Erik is a player that we identified early this summer through our global recruitment process, led by Matt Page and Toby Ellis, using data to highlight outliers who fit our player profiles across every league that adheres to the ESC criteria.
“We completed our due diligence, watching Erik extensively, moved to secure an agreement with AIK and then convince Erik that Lincoln City is the right opportunity for him to leave his boyhood club and move country for the first time. We are grateful to Thomas Berntsen, AIK sporting director, for the way in which he has worked with us to enable Erik to take this step.
“We believe that we have signed a top talent, with the character and mindset to succeed in England, who we are sure will excite our fans.”
The capture of Ring should excite Imps fans, not least because we have another Scandinavian in the squad and the last two did okay, didn’t they? However, this isn’t about what has gone before; it’s about the future of an exciting young player committing to the club for a long time.
Ring is a 22-year-old who has clearly impressed during his early career. He burst onto the scene with AIK, making his debut in September 2020 and going on to appear 47 times for them. He has been on the fringes of the AIK side this season but impressed in the second tier last season, scoring six goals for Helsingborg and providing an assist. That was mostly from the left wing.
Despite being right-footed, he does appear to favour the left, demonstrating flexibility in his position. He’s also been used primarily as a winger, but can operate at wing back as well, which is likely where we see him as playing. Judging by his Instagram posts, he also has quite a cool telephone ring celebration, which I like a lot!
He becomes the club’s eleventh signing of the summer window, with perhaps one more expected before it closes next week.