Adam Jackson’s six-year stay with Lincoln City has come to an end after the defender left the club following the mutual cancellation of his contract.
The agreement allows the 32-year-old to become a free agent, meaning he can join another EFL club outside the transfer window. Jackson will continue training with City while he searches for the next opportunity of his career.
His departure had been anticipated after sporting director Jez George confirmed that the centre-back would not be included in our 25-man Championship squad. The club had hoped to arrange a loan move before the window closed, but no suitable agreement could be reached.
Jackson leaves after making 179 appearances in all competitions for the Imps, including 153 league outings, and scoring five goals. He joined us from Hibernian in August 2020, having previously represented Middlesbrough, Hartlepool United and Barnsley.
His City debut came against Scunthorpe United in the EFL Trophy, while his first goal followed four days later in a League One victory over Oxford United. Jackson would go on to become a dependable figure across six seasons at Sincil Bank, featuring in the side that reached the 2021 League One play-off final before helping us win the division five years later.
While injuries limited him to 14 appearances during our title-winning 2025/26 campaign, he still played his part in returning City to the second tier. His final appearance came in the Carabao Cup victory over Derby County at the beginning of this season.
“It is rare in modern football for any player to spend six full seasons at a club, but Jacko has made Lincoln City his home and represented us fantastically well, on and off the pitch,” sporting director Jez George said.
“This decision hasn’t been made in the last 24 hours: it has just been executed in the last 24 hours, so that Jacko had the longest timeframe to join a club on loan in this window.
“When it became apparent that a suitable and mutually agreeable loan wouldn’t happen, this was the best scenario for Jacko, having told him early in the summer that he wouldn’t be part of our 25-man squad for the Championship.
“In becoming a free agent as we come out of the transfer window, it means that Jacko can sign for any EFL club at any time between now and January.
“In the meantime, Jacko will continue to train with us so that we can help him maintain his fitness ahead of any possible move. That shows the respect both parties have for each other, and that we will do anything to help Jacko with what comes next in his career.
“Adam leaves us with huge respect, recognition for his contribution to Lincoln City over six years, our gratitude for his professionalism throughout and our sincere best wishes for him and his young family in the future.”
Jackson’s exit brings to an end one of the longest associations between a senior player and the Imps in recent years. He has been part of two landmark City teams, reaching Wembley in 2021 and lifting the League One title in 2026, and he leaves with our thanks for everything he contributed during his six years at Sincil Bank.
Personally, I am sad to see Jacko leave. He’s always been a favourite of mine off the field; he’s a down-to-earth guy who added real value as a personality to the squad. Hopefully, a League One outfit will see the benefit of taking him on, as I’m sure he still has plenty to offer at that level.
Comments Welcome!