Lee Ho-Jae
Lee Ho-Jae is probably the easiest player on this list to imagine playing in Lincoln City’s current system. The 25-year-old Pohang Steelers striker combines physical presence, pressing intensity and penalty-box instinct in a way that feels extremely aligned with what Michael Skubala asks from his forwards.
The South Korean international stands at 192cm and has scored seven goals in 1,210 minutes so far this season while operating mainly as a lone striker. He also speaks English after spending part of his childhood in New Zealand while his father played for Auckland City, which immediately removes one of the adaptation concerns often attached to overseas signings.
Pohang are tactically flexible, but the system generally suits his strengths quite well. There is a lot of direct play and early delivery into the box, allowing him to use his physicality consistently against centre-backs.
The obvious strength is the aerial ability. He dominates in the air regularly and looks very comfortable competing for long balls, crosses and second balls. He feels like the type of striker capable of acting as a genuine focal point rather than simply playing off another forward.
What makes the profile more interesting is that there is clearly more to him than just height. His defensive work is strong for a striker and he seems more than willing to press aggressively and disrupt opposition build-up play. That willingness to work without the ball has become increasingly important for modern lone strikers and especially within Lincoln’s current structure.
Inside the penalty area he looks instinctive. He regularly arrives in dangerous positions and appears fairly selective with his shooting rather than forcing low-quality efforts constantly. The underlying numbers suggest the finishing level is sustainable rather than simply a short-term purple patch.
The limitations are mainly outside the box. He is not especially dynamic carrying the ball over distance and most of his value comes through movement, positioning and physical presence rather than creativity or dribbling ability.
There are still obvious hurdles to any potential move. Interest reportedly already exists from Germany and China, while he also missed 18 matches with an ankle injury during 2024. However, stylistically, he feels like one of the clearest fits on the entire list.