Lincoln City have completed the loan signing of Republic of Ireland international Chiedozie Ogbene from Ipswich Town until January.
The 29-year-old becomes the Imps’ latest signing of the summer transfer window and gives Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw another option on the right-hand side. Ogbene can operate as a winger, across the front line or at right wing-back, an area City have been looking to strengthen following the serious injury suffered by captain Tendayi Darikwa.
It is a significant addition for City, with Ogbene bringing Premier League and Championship experience to the Bank. Ipswich reportedly paid around £8 million to sign him from Luton Town in August 2024, although his first campaign at Portman Road was badly disrupted by a serious Achilles injury.
He spent last season on loan with Sheffield United and now joins the Imps looking for regular football during the first half of the Championship campaign.
“I’m really excited to be here – I had a positive conversation with Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw and felt really wanted,” Ogbene said.
“This is a good opportunity and a great platform for myself to help the club, but the club can also help me. I’ve been around the Championship for a while, and I know it’s a physical league. We know how tough it can be and how it’s physically demanding.
“You need a team that can buy in and pull in the same direction. Looking at this team and this football club, and the success of last year, the mindset here mirrors what I want to do, and I really want to be part of it.
“I bring pace and power, I’m willing to work hard and I’m energetic. I’ve got experience as well, so I’d hope that I can make an impact for the team and help the team on both sides of the pitch.
“I’ve played across the front three before, right wing and right wing-back, so I’m versatile and I’m willing to give everything I have for this jersey.”
The move represents something of a coup for the Imps. Ogbene established himself in English football during four seasons with Rotherham United, helping the Millers win promotion from League One and lifting the EFL Trophy in 2022.
He subsequently earned a move to Luton Town and featured regularly in the Premier League during 2023/24, scoring four times as the Hatters battled against relegation. His performances there led to the move to Ipswich, although injury restricted his opportunities following his arrival at Portman Road.
Ogbene is also an established Republic of Ireland international and won the FAI Senior International Player of the Year award for 2023. His direct running, pace and ability to operate in several roles should give Cohen and Shaw considerably more flexibility on the right.
Sporting director Jez George revealed City had been trying to recruit a player with Ogbene’s attributes throughout the summer and admitted the opportunity to land someone with his pedigree was not one they had initially expected.
“We have tried to identify a player with Chieo’s profile for the wide right position in our team all summer, so we are delighted with this signing at the close of the window,” he said.
“In reality, we didn’t anticipate being able to sign a player of Chieo’s calibre and pedigree, but these opportunities sometimes present themselves towards the transfer deadline, and this was one we had to take.
“Once this was a possibility, we moved quickly to do everything possible to convince Chieo that we are the right club for him. To have managed to sign him against far bigger and more established clubs in the Championship speaks volumes for how Chieo sees us and what he values most in this move.
“We know that he can have a massive impact for us, on and off the pitch, and we are delighted to secure him as our final signing of the summer. We would also like to thank Ipswich Town and Chieo’s representatives for their help in this process.”
The signing seemingly completes City’s summer business and adds another player with experience well above League One level to the squad assembled for their return to the Championship.
Having already demonstrated at Luton that he can trouble defenders at Premier League level, Ogbene now has the chance to rebuild momentum following two injury-interrupted seasons. If City can get him fit, firing and playing regularly, his arrival could prove to be one of the most eye-catching pieces of business completed by the club this summer.
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