Lincoln City are reportedly set to sign Hellas Verona right-back Daniel Oyegoke. Italian transfer journalist Alfredo Pedullà claims the Serie B club are selling the 23-year-old to the Imps, although the terms of the proposed transfer have not yet been disclosed.
The arrival of another right-back has become a priority following the serious injury suffered by Tendayi Darikwa. City’s captain is expected to be unavailable for a significant period, leaving Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw without their established first-choice option on that side of the pitch.
Josh Honohan is approaching full match fitness and has been identified as somebody capable of playing at right-back. Cohen also recently referenced the “Swiss Army knives” within the squad who can operate in several positions, but the reported move for Oyegoke suggests City have decided that a specialist addition is required before the transfer window closes.
Oyegoke was born in Barnet and spent time with both Barnet and Arsenal as a youngster. He initially played as a forward before being converted into a right-back while progressing through the Arsenal academy, eventually leaving the Gunners to join Brentford in 2021.
Although he did not make a competitive first-team appearance for Brentford, Oyegoke gained EFL experience during loan spells with Milton Keynes Dons and Bradford City. He played 18 times for MK Dons during the first half of the 2022/23 campaign before making 28 appearances for Bradford the following season, with part of that spell disrupted by a shoulder injury which required surgery.
He left Brentford permanently in the summer of 2024, joining Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian for a reported six-figure fee. Oyegoke made 26 appearances for Hearts in all competitions and scored his first senior goal during a 4-0 victory against St Mirren.
His time in Scotland lasted only seven months, with Hellas Verona signing him in January 2025. He made five Serie A appearances during the remainder of that campaign and featured 16 times in all competitions last season, when Verona were relegated to Serie B.
The 6ft 2in defender also has considerable international experience at youth level. Oyegoke represented England from under-16 through to under-20 level and was part of the squad which won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2022, starting twice during the tournament.
Oyegoke’s Serie A numbers underline his versatility, with most of his appearances coming at right wing-back but others at right-back, left wing-back and further forward. His defensive output averaged 6.03 duels per 90 minutes, of which he won 51.9%, alongside 2.44 interceptions, 6.03 recoveries and 1.39 clearances. He was successful with 80% of his sliding tackles, while 30.8% of his recoveries were made inside the opposition half.
There are areas of his game which may still require development, particularly in the air, where he won only 26.3% of his 2.2 duels per 90. However, he won 57.9% of his loose-ball contests and showed an ability to compete strongly in individual matches, including winning ten of 14 defensive duels away at Torino in April. His numbers suggest an active, front-foot defender who is comfortable playing as a wing-back, rather than somebody whose contribution is limited to sitting deep in a conventional back four.
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