Welcome To Sincil Bank Ivan Varfolomeev

August 21, 2025 Gary Activity, Headlines, Lincoln City, News, Transfers 0

Credit Chris Vaughan
City have completed the permanent signing of Ukraine U21 international Ivan Varfolomeev from Slovan Liberec, subject to international clearance and work permit, for an undisclosed fee. 
The 21-year-old midfielder has signed a four-year contract with the Imps. He began his career with Rukh Lviv, featuring for them in the Ukrainian Premier League, prior to signing for Czech top-flight side Slovan Liberec in 2022.
Head coach Michael Skubala said: “Ivan has all the attributes that we want in this position, he has a real pedigree with multiple U21 caps for Ukraine and we believe that he has a high ceiling. We also think that his game will suit English football as he’s aggressive and competitive, effective out of possession and efficient with the ball. He fits our profile as a No.6 and we are delighted that we have been able to bring Ivan to the club. We really look forward to working with him.”
Director of football Jez George added: “Ivan was flagged up through our data modelling over 6 months ago and since then we have watched him extensively. After selling Ethan Erhahon, we further assessed his availability and affordability in this window, two key criteria in any transfer, as well as his desire to play in England. With those boxes ticked, we escalated the evaluation process and entered negotiations with Slovan Liberec and the player’s agent to secure a deal.
Credit Chris Vaughan

“Ivan is a player who is ready to contribute now, albeit we need to give him time to settle in a new country, with the attributes to succeed in England and huge potential to be a future asset.”

“I would like to thank both of his representatives, Antoni Lukasiewicz and Pawel Hajduczek ,for their help in the process and Theodor Gebre Selassie, sporting director of Slovan Libercec, for the way in which the negotiations were conducted. Slovan Liberec are a good club who develop young players and Ivan is an example of that, having joined them at 18 years old.”

Our Opinion

It’s clear that the loss of Ethan Erhahon has inevitably left a gap in midfield, and comparisons between the two players will be inevitable. Erhahon arrived ready-made and instantly became one of our most important performers, which is why his departure feels so significant.

Yet that very fact highlights why Varfolomeev could be a smart replacement: if he was already at the same level, the chances are we wouldn’t even be in the conversation. The very opportunity to sign him suggests the club have identified a player with the potential to reach those heights, but without the prohibitive price tag that comes once a footballer has fully established themselves.

However, the price is not to be sniffed out. The headline you might not read is this will be a club record purchase. The reported £700,000 is sure to be with add-ons such as Imps promotion(s), but the base price is almost certain to exceed what we paid for John Akinde.

It is also likely to come in at less than we received for Erhahon, at least that is my understanding.

Credit Graham Burrell

There is an important distinction here. While fans naturally want an immediate impact, overseas signings often need a period of adaptation, not only to a new league but also to a new country and culture. That shouldn’t be seen as a weakness. Instead, it underlines the club’s ambition to think beyond the short term, to invest in players who can grow in value and influence. If Varfolomeev needed no bedding-in time, he would almost certainly be well beyond our reach. The fact that we’ve been able to bring him in is itself a mark of progress in our recruitment strategy.

Another positive is the broader context of the transfer window. This has been a summer of transition, with the Makama sale reshaping our budget. By waiting to confirm outgoing business, the club have put itself in a position to target higher-calibre players than might have been realistic just a few weeks ago. That patience may have been frustrating, but it also signals a level of planning and pragmatism that will serve us well in the long term.

We should also acknowledge the scale of ambition this transfer represents. Paying a big fee shows faith not just in the player but also in the recruitment system we have built. The fact that (Stacey West Patreon-sponsored) Erik Ring and others are now on our books highlights a consistent strategy: identify talented players with resale value, bring them into the environment, and trust in the coaching setup to refine their game. It’s a model that, if executed correctly, will allow the Imps to keep growing despite the financial gulf between us and the bigger hitters in League One.

Of course, the pressure will be on Varfolomeev to show glimpses of quality early on. Supporters know how vital midfield control is to our success, and the expectation will be that he can slot into a role that helps drive the team forward. But it’s worth remembering that settling in doesn’t mean failing. A player can contribute while still adjusting, and with the right patience, the best of him should still be to come.

Ultimately, the arrival of Varfolomeev should be seen as a statement of intent. We have moved swiftly to reinvest after a record sale, and we’ve targeted a player who can become more valuable with time. Yes, there will be pressure, but that comes with the territory of replacing one of our standout stars. What matters is that the club are showing ambition, backing their recruitment model, and trusting in development to deliver results. That’s not a step backwards – it’s a sign of a club determined to keep progressing.

For now, the message is clear: let’s give the lad time, patience, and support. If history has taught us anything, it’s that players who arrive with potential, rather than perfection, are often the ones who end up defining an era.