The Imps have completed the permanent signing of exciting young goalkeeper George Wickens on a four-year deal.
That’s right – he’s young, he’s talented and for the second year in a row, our number one is ours. The 22-year-old joins the Imps having spent his early career developing his game at Premier League Fulham, his boyhood club.
“I’m absolutely buzzing. Lincoln City feels like the right place for me at the next stage of my development.,” said the 6ft 5in stopper.
“You only need to look at the track record of the young goalkeepers the club have brought through in the past few years and how well they’ve gone on to do.
“A big reason for that is the trust that has been put in them. It’s a massive thing to have the club behind you because it breeds confidence and that’s how you get the best out of a player.”
Wickens went out on loan twice at the Cottagers, firstly gaining valuable first-team experience at National League Wealdstone. During his time there, he kept 12 clean sheets and won both the Players’ Player of the Season award and the Stuart Pearce Shield for Junior Stones’ Player of the Season as well.
He then moved north of the border in January, joining Scottish Premiership side Ross County. He caught the eye in Scotland, saving two penalties against Celtic, and then making 19 saves against Rangers, breaking the record for the most saves in a single match in the Scottish Premiership era.
Wickens also has an international cap, having been called up to the Three Lions’ U18 squad in 2019.
Head coach Michael Skubala said: “George has all the attributes we look for in a goalkeeper and impressed us with his mentality and maturity in the recruitment and interview process.
“We feel that George has a really bright future ahead of him and we are excited to sign him ahead of other clubs. George has shown his character with his decision to leave Fulham in order to play regularly and forge his career as a No.1 goalkeeper.”
Director of Football Jez George added, “To have executed this signing in such a timely manner hopefully evidences our recruitment process and planning. It also demonstrates how our model works by us investing a proportion of the transfer fee received for Lukas into such a talented young goalkeeper with huge potential and future asset value.
“We have no doubts that George has all the qualities required to positively impact our team immediately as our No.1 goalkeeper and to develop exponentially in our environment.
“As with other positions we have strengthened the overall goalkeeping department this summer and are really excited by all three signings, who fit our player profile for this position and will all only improve. Finally, I would like to thank Fulham and our board for their part in the speed at which we were able to reach a compensation agreement.”
