Andrei Coubiș is expected to become a Lincoln City player in the coming days, but that announcement will not happen today, according to BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Michael Hortin.
The Imps have been linked with a club-record move for the Romanian defender, who is leaving U Cluj, and is expected to sign a five-year deal with the Imps. A 6ft 5in, heavily tattooed defender is hard to hide in the Bailgate, and he has been spotted around the city by eagle-eyed fans.
Last night’s kit launch was mistakenly taken to be a player announcement, and those hanging on for the same this evening will have to be patient. BBC Radio Lincolnshire reporter Michael Hortin has tweeted that there will be no announcement today, although he is ‘fully expecting’ Coubiș to become a Lincoln City player.
There will be no signing announcements with @LincolnCity_FC today. As mentioned on Red Imps with @rob_makepeace I am, though, fully expecting the Andrei Coubis deal to be announced in the next few days.
— Michael Hortin (@michaelhortin) July 24, 2026
That tallies with my understanding of the situation. U Cluj president Radu Constantea suggested yesterday that there had been a two-day medical for the former AC Milan player to complete, and there will also be a work permit application required. Anyone with a basic understanding of such processes will know they’re stringent and certainly leave no room for manoeuvre, such as a player doing public engagements prior to being agreed.
That means we may have to be patient, which isn’t an attribute many fans usually have when it comes to incoming player transfers! Of course, it wouldn’t be an issue if the situation hadn’t been played out so openly in Romanian media. They’ve been hugely informative when it comes to the status of the deal, leaving the club in the awkward position of something seemingly being common knowledge, but also being unable to say anything publicly until everything is signed, sealed and delivered.
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Andrei Coubiș Transfer Timeline
July 21, 2026, Lincoln City first linked
Reports in Romania and Turkey claimed there was interest in Universitatea Cluj defender Andrei Coubiș. Trabzonspor were credited with a €3 million bid, while an unnamed Championship club was said to be close to agreeing a club-record deal with U Cluj.
Coubiș had been absent from recent matches, fuelling suggestions that a transfer was approaching. At this stage, there was no confirmation that Lincoln had made a formal offer.
July 21, 2026, Lincoln identified as the English club
Later reports in Romania specifically named Lincoln City as the Championship side attempting to sign Coubiș.
The remaining disagreement was said to concern a future sell-on clause. Lincoln reportedly wanted U Cluj to retain 15 per cent, while the Romanian club were asking for 20 per cent. Sampdoria were also expected to receive a percentage of the transfer.
The reported overall fee remained around €3 million, although it was unclear how much would be paid immediately and how much would depend on add-ons.
July 22, 2026, English move described as close
Further Romanian coverage suggested most of the transfer framework was in place. Lincoln officials were reported to have watched Coubiș during U Cluj’s goalless friendly against Dynamo Kyiv.
Former Romania international Basarab Panduru discussed the potential move and warned Coubiș that the physical demands of English football would be significantly greater than those he had faced in Romania.
July 22, 2026, U Cluj manager confirms departure
Universitatea Cluj head coach Cristiano Bergodi confirmed Coubiș had left the club and was no longer part of his squad.
Bergodi said the defender had said his farewells two days earlier and that U Cluj would need to find a replacement. He did not name Lincoln himself, but Romanian reports stated Coubiș had been sold to the Imps for approximately €3 million.
Reports in England also claimed the player was already in Lincoln finalising the move.
July 23, 2026, clubs sign agreement, medical completed
U Cluj president Radu Constantea confirmed that documents between Lincoln City and Universitatea Cluj had been signed late on Wednesday, July 22.
This was the first direct confirmation from the Romanian club that Lincoln were the buyers.
Constantea revealed that Lincoln’s opening offer had been rejected, but City returned eight or nine days later with a significantly improved proposal, which U Cluj accepted.
Constantea also confirmed that Coubiș had undergone two days of medical examinations in England and had been given the all-clear.
The major physical checks had therefore been completed successfully, leaving personal terms and administrative matters as the remaining obstacles.
Overall position by July 23
The story progressed from an overseas transfer rumour on July 21 to a signed club-to-club agreement and completed medical by July 23.
The key remaining steps were Coubiș agreeing his personal contract, completing the work-permit process and Lincoln City formally announcing the signing.
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