Lincoln City have announced the departure of club captain Regan Poole as they release their list of players who will remain with the club and who will leave at the end of their contracts.
The defender has played almost every fixture in League One this season, with 45 appearances, finding the back of the net twice and assisting three times.
But with links emerging back in November of numerous Championship clubs monitoring the former Manchester United man’s situation with the club, with a January move expected, it is believed that he is ready to move on to a higher level and departs the Imps.
Lincoln Career
Poole joined for an undisclosed fee in January 2021, signing a multi-year contract with Lincoln, arriving from MK Dons and has become a vital part of the squad making over 100 appearances for the club.
At the end of the 2021/22 season, he was named Lincoln City’s Player and the Player’s Player of the Season after a bottom-half finish for the Imps in 17th. This season, they have gone on to improve upon that finish, as they finished 11th in League One, a number of draws helped that as they came close to the record of draws in a season.
This season, he inherited the armband from departing skipper Tom Hopper and became one of the youngest captains that the club has had in recent years. At just 24 years old though, the number of appearances he has at a senior level, over 200, makes him one of the most experienced players within the squad.
Release and what’s been said.
With Poole being such a key figure at the club, it was important that they tried to keep him around and they certainly did so with the comments from Lincoln City Director of Football Jez George.
“We have done everything possible to keep Regan at the club, but he wants to explore options at a higher level and we fully respect that”
“Regan has been brilliant for Lincoln City, captaining the team on many occasions, including on his final appearance at the LNER Stadium on Sunday and is held in high esteem by everyone. We sincerely wish Regan all the best in the next chapter of his career, thank him for everything and hope that he gets the opportunity he deserves at a higher level of the pyramid.”
The Welshman was linked with numerous Championship clubs back in November, with many expecting a move to be on the cards for the defender in the January transfer window. However, despite strong interest from clubs which included Cardiff City, where he spent time as part of the academy setup, there was no move.
It is possible that with the defender’s contract situation, these clubs who were interested thought a move in the summer would be best, as opposed to spending a transfer fee on him in the January market.
Writer’s View.
Regan Poole is a highly versatile defender who seems to have the potential to play football at a higher level and that appears to be clear with multiple clubs interested in acquiring the defender’s services.
With that being said, being club captain and having so many appearances under his belt at such a young age would be a bonus to anyone who he plays for next.
The three clubs named back in November were all Championship clubs who at that time were struggling defensively and certainly needed someone to help bolster their options at the back.
Regan Poole has been a loyal player for the Imps and it is reassuring to see a club that does not stand in a player’s way to explore his options. The biggest downside to this for the club would be that they missed out on a transfer fee for such an influential player.
QPR need six defenders who are hungry to play for a great club and manager