[themaclad]

Lincoln City have signed striker Francis Okoronkwo on a season-long loan deal from Premier League club Everton.

The 20-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for the Toffees and spent last season on loan at Salford City, scoring four goals in 24 appearances in all competitions.

Born in Blyth, Okoronkwo moved to Everton's youth academy in 2021 after leaving Sunderland.

He becomes Lincoln's third signing of the summer window following the arrivals of defenders Sonny Bradley and Ryley Towler.

"Buzzing, just happy to step up and try and compete in the league. I can't wait to play in front of the fans," Okoronkwo told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

"I definitely would say I developed the more physical side of the game [at Salford], knowing how to use my body and get into positions. That's probably the main takeaway from last season.

"Once I knew Lincoln were in for me, it was a no-brainer to come here. There's a rich history of top players coming down and playing for Lincoln and getting the game time that they need.

"I feel my game is very transferable into the way Lincoln play, and hopefully I can show that this season."

[themaclad]

Lincoln City have signed Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Varfolomeyev from Czech side Slovan Liberec for a club-record transfer fee.

BBC Radio Lincolnshire understands the Imps have paid about £350,000 for Varfolomeyev, which would surpass the club's previous record fee paid for John Akinde in 2018.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Crimea, made his first-team debut for Ukrainian top-flight club Rukh Lviv against Shakhtar Donetsk in February 2021.

He moved to Slovan Liberec a year later, and last season established himself as an important squad player, making 20 league appearances.

He has seven caps for Ukraine Under-21s.

Lincoln head coach Michael Skubala told BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Red Imps Club podcast that Varfolomeyev was a player of "great promise" and highlighted his pedigree with his under-21 experience.

"Our recruitment team have been keeping tabs on him for quite a while, and it's good to bring an exciting young talent into the building," he said.

Varfolomeyev becomes Lincoln's fourth signing of the summer window, joining Sonny Bradley, Ryley Towler and Everton loanee Francis Okoronkwo at Sincil Bank.

"It's always been the intention of the board to support the team and get bodies back after all our outgoings," Skubala said.

"We said we needed to get the right ones in and it's taken a bit longer but the board's definitely backing what we need to do."

[themaclad]

Lincoln City have signed midfielder Adam Reach on a one-year deal and brought in Coventry City forward Justin Obikwu and Ipswich Town midfielder Finley Barbrook on season-long loans.

And, in a further late deadline-day move, head coach Michael Skubala also added Wolves defender Dexter Lembikisa to his ranks on a loan deal until January.

Veteran Reach, 32, has made almost 500 career appearances and counts Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion among his former clubs.

He moves to Lincolnshire as a free agent after being released by League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last season.

Trinidad and Tobago international Obikwu, 21, is yet to play a first-team game for Coventry but has spent much of the past two seasons out on loan with Grimsby Town.

Barbrook, 20, made his Ipswich debut in their Carabao Cup defeat by Bromley in August, having previously gained experience on loan at Sutton United and Chelmsford.

Lembikisa, 21, arrives at the LNER Stadium with plenty of international experience, having played 29 times for Jamaica. He has also been out on loan to Rotherham United, Barnsley and Hearts along with a spell at Swiss League side Yverdon-Sport.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Imps forward Zane Okoro will spend the season out on loan with Coleraine FC in Northern Ireland.