Lincoln City have taken the first steps towards adding to the squad by completing the signing of left-back Callum Elder, recently released by Derby County.
Elder has penned a two-year deal with the Imps, and arrives with a huge amount of experience in the second tier, not only with Derby County, but also Hull City, Brentford, Barnsley, and Ipswich Town.
“The football club has made fantastic progress over the past 12 months, both on and off the pitch, so it’s an exciting time to join Lincoln City and I’m really pleased to be here,” Callum said on his arrival.
“I had some really good conversations with Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw. You could see their commitment to the project, their attention to detail, and their belief in what the club is trying to build. For them to believe that I am someone who can help to take the club forward is really exciting for me. I can’t wait to give everything I have to help achieve that.
“The facilities are excellent. The Gen2 Energy Elite Performance Centre is outstanding, and there are further improvements planned as well. Seeing everything that’s already in place gives me real excitement about what can be achieved this season.”
In terms of the type of player we’ve signed, our look at what he could bring might be of benefit, but in his own words, he is committed, first and foremost.
“I’m a committed player and I like to get up and down the pitch as a full-back. I’ve spoken to a few of the lads I already know here, like Sonny Bradley and James Collins, and they’ve talked about the commitment of every player, and I saw that myself watching the team last season.
“I’m excited to join a group of players with that mentality and, with the belief that’s already in the squad, I think we can achieve some good things this season. For the squad to go on the unbeaten run they did last season is a testament to the players and the commitment they’ve shown. If we can replicate that level of commitment, it can take you a long way in this division.
“Of course you need quality as well, but there’s plenty of quality in that changing room. I’m really excited to become part of it and play my role in what we’re trying to achieve this season.”
Interestingly, when discussing Elder’s arrival, head coach Tom Shaw perhaps dropped a hint as to where we see Josh Honohan playing next season, purely by omission.
“We are delighted that Callum is the club’s first addition to the squad this summer, providing us with competition in a position that Adam Reach and Ryley Towler excelled last season, and recent Championship know-how,” said Tom.
“He is slightly different in how he plays the role, so this gives us tremendous left-footed balance for our defensive options, which is something we felt was important in constructing the overall squad profile.”
Sporting director Jez George, who doubtless spent hours on the phone ensuring the deal got over the line, revealed conversations have been ongoing over the early part of the summer to ensure we bagged a player with suitable second tier experience.
“This is a player that we’ve been speaking with since the end of last season, knowing he was a free agent and as well as his attributes as a player, we are adding Championship experience over a decade, but also recently with 28 appearances for Derby last season and more than 200 appearances in the last five seasons. We feel this is a really sensible signing for us that will benefit the whole group,” he said.
Elder’s career began in Sydney with Manly United before he moved to England at 16 to join Leicester City’s academy. He signed professional terms after completing his scholarship, later earning fresh deals with the Foxes, but his senior football came away from the King Power Stadium through loans at Mansfield Town, Peterborough United, Brentford, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town. Those spells gave him experience across League Two, League One and the Championship, with his first senior goal coming for Peterborough and another arriving for Wigan in an FA Cup win over Premier League Bournemouth.
He left Leicester permanently in 2019, joining Hull City, where he made more than 130 league appearances, won promotion from League One and earned recognition in the division’s team of the year. Derby County signed him on a free transfer in 2023 and he was part of the squad that won promotion back to the Championship, although injuries interrupted each of his three seasons at Pride Park.
Born to an Irish mother and Scottish father, Elder is also the grandson of former Republic of Ireland international Paddy Turner, but he chose Australia internationally, making his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against China in September 2021 before returning to the Socceroos squad in 2025.
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