The Imps have completed the signing of forward Ryan Oné from Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season.
Oné, son of former Cambridge United striker Armand Oné, has been sought after by many League One clubs this winter, and has made Sincil Bank his home for the next 18 games, which could prove to be as crucial in terms of promotion as any in the last 70 years.
Starting his career at Hamilton Academical, the 19-year-old made the move to the Blades in 2023 before making his debut in the Premier League against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Oné has featured 22 times in all competitions for the Blades, scoring his first competitive goal in England against Bristol City in the Championship.
In the winter of 2024, it was reported he was a target for Premier League giants Liverpool, and in April, Ipswich were thought to be watching closely. This window, Rotherham United are known to be one of the clubs who have been chasing his signature. Instead, he’s come to the Bank, and he spent last night watching as a rampant City blew Bradford away in an avalanche of shots, touches in the box, and goals.
“Ryan has been highly sought after by League One clubs in this window, so we are delighted to have got this agreed and over the line,” said sporting director Jez George.
“We know that Ryan is highly rated by Sheffield United, so we are grateful that they have trusted us with the next stage of his development.
“Ryan fits our profile in terms of his pace, power and physicality adding attacking threat and work ethic out of possession, so adds competition and depth to our forward options. He is coming on loan to make a real impact, and we believe he has all the attributes we value to do that.”
The days when Lincoln City are able to pip Rotherham to players has been a long time coming, but with us also getting ahead of the competition for Deji Elerewe, it seems we are a big draw now for players. The plan is always to come out of a window stronger than we went in, and on paper, that appears to be the case.
Having lost our three loan players, Lembikisa, Okoronkwo and Obikwu, we have added Lloyd and Oné, both on paper equal to or better than what we had. Honohan will replace Lembikisa, and that leaves Elerewe as a bonus, giving us a deeper squad than when we came in to the window.
With Ben House and Tom Bayliss back, as well as Oscar Thorn and Adam Jackson close, we appear well padded now for the run in to the end of the season and, maybe, a place in the Championship.
Comments Welcome!