28-Year-Old Former Lincoln City Defender Released By Top Flight Club

Former Lincoln City defender Lewis Montsma has been released by SPFL side Dundee after his short-term deal expired.

Dundee, who finished eighth in the Scottish top flight this season, signed the popular Dutch defender on a six-month deal in January, after his chances with the Imps became limited.

Despite making their matchday squad on a number of occasions, the 28-year-old has been unable to get any game time. He was last a part of their squad on May 12th as they lost 3-1 at Kilmarnock, but he leaves Dens Park without senior minutes.

It leaves Montsma at a crossroads, and City fans will be hoping to see him pen a deal with someone. He proved to be a popular figure at Sincil Bank, signing from Dordrecht in 2020. He made an explosive start with six goals in his first nine games, including five in five between 24th September and 10th October. He scored against the reigning European champions Liverpool in the League Cup and appeared to have a big future at the club.

After our failure to make the Championship in the play-offs, Montsma’s troubles began. Despite playing 50 times in 2020/21, he missed the start of the 2021/22 season through injury, not making a league start until August 28th. In January, with 26 matches under his belt, he tore his ACL, the second time he had suffered such an injury, and was out for a year.

He returned in 2022/23 under Mark Kennedy, but it was a brief return. He was out for 13 months, but picked up a retrospective ban in his second game back for appearing to aim an elbow at Bristol Rovers defender James Connolly. After three matches, he was back, but less than a month later, he tore his ACL again, as well as suffering an additional knee injury.

He was given a new contract, and 17 months later, he made a comeback, firstly in a friendly against Arsenal, then as we lost 2-1 at home to Harrogate in the League Cup. He played 21 times in 2024/25, but this past season, his time was limited. Despite being fit, he didn’t appear in a league game for us, and was allowed to join Dundee in the summer.

He isn’t the only ex-Imp to be leaving Dundee this summer. Trevor Carson, who played on loan from Sunderland in 2010/11 and was controversially recalled, has also seen his spell with the Dark Blues ended after three years. Now 38, Carson has had a long career in Scotland with the likes of Motherwell, St Mirren and Dundee United.