The Imps’ summer business is beginning to take shape—and with the addition of 23-year-old Ryley Towler from Portsmouth, it’s becoming clearer what the club’s recruitment priorities are this window.
Towler’s arrival feels like a signing very much in the Lincoln City mould: young, left-footed, and versatile. At 6’4”, he adds height to an already imposing backline, and crucially, he brings options. Officially described as a “multifunctional defender,” Towler is capable of playing in multiple roles—most naturally as a left-sided centre-back, but also potentially as a left-back or even as a holding midfielder, a position he has experience in from his loan spell at AFC Wimbledon.
That flexibility is important. While he’s seen by some as a like-for-like replacement for Sean Roughan, he’s also a different kind of defender when compared to our current crop: quick, composed in possession, and comfortable stepping into different shapes. If Michael Skubala wants to play a back four, Towler offers cover. If he opts for a three-man defence, Towler’s ability to operate on the left offers balance.
But this isn’t a “project player” in the traditional sense. Jez George’s comments make it clear the move is about footballing progression for both the player and the club. This is a signing made with purpose, not speculation.
👊 Hear from our newest recruit on day one! pic.twitter.com/D3Y3uAM0V0
— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) July 7, 2025
Physicality, Experience, and Untapped Potential
While still only 23, Towler has racked up nearly 100 senior appearances, including over 50 in the Football League. He started nine Championship games last season for Portsmouth and has previously gained experience on loan at Grimsby, AFC Wimbledon, and others.
That experience—blended with clear room for growth—makes him an ideal Lincoln City signing. He adds something different to the existing centre-back pool. Sonny Bradley is 33, Adam Jackson is the steeper side of 30, and Lewis Montsma has had his injury struggles. In that context, Towler isn’t just depth—he’s part of the longer-term planning.
The club’s strength at set-pieces is another reason to be optimistic. With the towering presence of Bradley, Jackson, and now Towler—plus the long throws of Tom Hamer—City will remain a threat from dead balls. That might sound like a small point, but in a tight league where margins are narrow, set-piece dominance can go a long way.
Succession Planning in Action
What’s arguably most impressive about this signing is the strategy behind it. It appears we have been tracking Towler for some time, first at Bristol City and then at Pompey. They acted when the opportunity came up—and crucially, Towler chose us, reportedly turning down interest from the likes of Huddersfield Town and Luton Town in the process.
That says a lot about the club’s current appeal. It also reinforces a broader trend: the club seems less interested in volume this summer and more focused on continuity and quality. The core of the squad remains intact. Of the key players who departed, Paudie O’Connor and Sean Roughan have arguably already been replaced by Bradley and Towler. The rest of the squad looks strong, with plenty of competition in most areas.
❤️ Ryley Towler was quickly convinced that the Imps were the right club for him.
Watch his first interview since joining City for free on Imps+
— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) July 7, 2025
Towler, then, represents exactly the kind of player we have previously been targeting: young, experienced, flexible, and ambitious. Whether he starts every week or not, he raises the level of the squad and gives Skubala another tool to work with.
The signs are promising, and with more pre-season games on the horizon, fans won’t have to wait long to see him in action.
Up the Imps.