Former Lincoln City Full Back Joins Relegated Midlands Side

Former Lincoln City defender Nathan Kabeya has secured a move to Leamington after impressing during a pre-season trial.

The 21-year-old has agreed terms for the 2026/27 campaign, having featured in each of the Brakes’ opening four friendlies. He first caught the eye during a 5-1 victory against Lye Town, providing the cross for Owen Farmer’s second goal before winning the penalty from which his former Wolves academy teammate completed a hat-trick.

Kabeya subsequently started against Walsall and came off the bench during Leamington’s fixtures with Sutton Coldfield Town and Brackley Town. His performances were enough to convince manager Scott Easterlow, who had previously watched the full-back while managing in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

The Brakes dropped out of the National League North last season, and will hope to be among the promotion contenders in the Southern League Premier Division Central this coming campaign.

“I’m really pleased for Nath,” Easterlow said. “He’s someone we invited in for pre-season having caught our eye at Step Four last season.

“He’s a full-back who’s comfortable on either side. His performances this pre-season have already shown he belongs at this level.”

Kabeya began his career in the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy before joining the Imps, where he spent two years within the club’s youth set-up. He did not make a senior appearance for the Imps but was given experience of men’s football during a loan spell with Bromsgrove Sporting in 2023.

Name: Nathan Kabeya
Age: 18
Position: RB | RWB | Winger
Location: West Midlands
Previous Clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, 2 England call ups, Lincoln City FC, step 3 Bromsgrove Sporting

Looking for Step 3 and above pic.twitter.com/BTu2Xih45M

— Free Agent Showcase (@FreeAgentsFC) July 10, 2023

After leaving City, he joined Northwich Victoria and later represented Lye Town and Shifnal Town. He spent the 2024/25 season with Coleshill Town before signing a one-year contract with Rugby Town last summer.

Kabeya played in the Northern Premier League Midlands for Rugby during the previous campaign, with his displays at Step Four placing him on Easterlow’s radar. He will now step up to the Southern League Premier Central with Leamington, who were relegated from the National League North last season.

The former Imp believes the environment created by Leamington’s new manager helped convince him that the club was the right place to continue his career.

“Even after the first couple of sessions, coming in as a trialist, the motivation has been that this is a team I want to play for,” Kabeya said.

“That’s made me go harder and it’s ended up with a good outcome, so I’m excited for the start of the season.”