George Wickens will head into Lincoln City’s first season back in the Championship as the club’s No.1 after signing a new long-term contract with the Imps.
The goalkeeper’s new agreement runs until the summer of 2029, with City holding an option to extend it by a further 12 months. Wickens has made 86 appearances in all competitions during his first two seasons at Sincil Bank and believes there is more to come as we prepare for life in the second tier.
“There are so many positives around the club and city at the minute, and I’m proud to have been part of it,” he said. “After what we achieved last season, I’m excited for what’s to come and the challenge we’ll face in the Championship.
“It’s important to have that security, but I also think it’s quite rare in football to feel as settled as I do. I don’t take that for granted. I feel really settled around the place with the lads, and my partner and I have got a nice home here as well. It’s something I’m really grateful for and I’m looking forward to next season.”
The 24-year-old joined City from Fulham in July 2024, having gained his first sustained experience of senior football during loan spells with Wealdstone and Ross County. He made 40 appearances for Wealdstone during the 2021/22 campaign before playing 13 times in the Scottish Premiership for Ross County, where he produced a memorable double penalty save against Celtic at Parkhead.
Wickens established himself as City’s first-choice goalkeeper following his arrival and started all 46 league matches during last season’s title-winning campaign. He won the League One Golden Glove after keeping 19 clean sheets and was also selected in the division’s Team of the Season.
“We’ve been on a really good journey over the last two years, and obviously what we achieved last season was special. I feel like we can do something special again this year, so it’s exciting,” he added.
“We’ve got a really good mix of players and staff, and we’re all one close-knit group. That really showed during the training camp in Spain. We’ve had a great time together and it’s something you don’t take for granted – how strong the relationships are between everyone.
“I’ve got a really good relationship with our goalkeeping coach David Preece, not just on the pitch but off it as well. We’ve built a strong relationship, and I know I can go to him about anything. I’m looking forward to working with him again this season and continuing to build on that.”
Wickens’ contribution went beyond his work in goal, with the goalkeeper also registering four assists during the campaign. Sporting director Jez George believes his progress justified the decision to bring him to Lincoln following Lukas Jensen’s move to Millwall in 2024.
“George’s development over the past 12 months has been incredible and fully justifies the investment we made to buy him from Fulham after selling Lukas Jensen to Millwall two summers ago,” said Jez.
“Having joined us with so few games behind him at senior level, we knew that George would need our backing and support for the inevitable ‘bumps in the road’ and last season repaid our faith in him many times over. 46 league starts, fewest goals conceded, joint most clean sheets, highest number of assists & pre-assists and named in the EFL League One Team of the Year speaks for itself.
“We know George’s potential, and his value to us this season, so we are delighted that we have agreed a new contract which gives both of us certainty now and security moving forward.”
Jez also highlighted the part played by Preece and the wider coaching staff in Wickens’ development, as well as the collective defensive work that underpinned City’s title success.
“David is top, as a practitioner and as a person, who adds so much value across the coaching staff, within the environment, alongside George Bush with our set-plays, but also as George articulated in his interview, to our goalkeeping department,” he added.
“This isn’t just George, but also Zach Jeacock and Jamie Pardington. George’s progress and level of performance are testament to that work but also the incredible way in which our team defends, not just the defensive stalwarts but the mentality of the whole group.
“George would be first to recognise the small details, honed by Chris and Tom last season on the training ground and in the video room, and valued by all the players.”
Wickens’ new contract provides City with further continuity ahead of the Championship campaign, while giving the goalkeeper an opportunity to continue his development at Sincil Bank. After playing an important role in last season’s title triumph, he will now look to establish himself at a higher level as the Imps begin the next stage of their journey.
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