Former Lincoln City defender Lewis Montsma has completed his return to the EFL, signing a one-year contract with League Two side Port Vale.
The 28-year-old had spent much of pre-season with the Valiants, featuring in several friendly fixtures and joining Jon Brady’s squad for their training camp in Spain. Having evidently done enough to impress during that period, he has now secured his immediate future at Vale Park.
The Dutch defender left Sincil Bank for Dundee in February, bringing an emotional end to a five-and-a-half-year association with the Imps. He originally arrived from FC Dordrecht during the summer of 2020 and quickly established himself as one of the most popular players of the modern era. He scored six times in his opening nine appearances, finding the net against Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City, Liverpool and Charlton Athletic during an extraordinary introduction to English football.
He ended his debut campaign with nine goals in all competitions as Michael Appleton’s side reached the League One play-off final. His performances were also recognised with a place in the 2020/21 PFA League One Team of the Year.
However, much of Montsma’s subsequent Lincoln career was shaped by two serious anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The first, suffered against Oxford United in January 2022, kept him out for more than a year before he returned against Cambridge United.
A second ACL rupture, accompanied by further damage to the knee, followed just a few months later. That setback ruled him out for the entirety of the 2023/24 season and required another demanding rehabilitation programme.
Montsma eventually returned to competitive action against Harrogate Town in August 2024, around 15 months after his previous appearance. He went on to feature 21 times during the 2024/25 campaign, before making four cup appearances during the first half of last season.
His move to Dundee brought limited first-team football, with his short-term agreement expiring at the end of the Scottish Premiership campaign. That left Montsma searching for another club, but his extended trial with Port Vale has now resulted in a contract.
Montsma made 109 appearances in all competitions for City, scoring 12 goals. Those numbers tell only part of his story at Sincil Bank, with his memorable debut season, composure in possession and determination to overcome two major injuries ensuring his status as a genuine cult hero.
He will now hope to put those injury problems firmly behind him and establish himself at Vale Park. After earning his contract through several weeks of pre-season work, Montsma has another opportunity to show what he can offer in the EFL.
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