Lincoln City have completed the signing of promising young goalkeeper Zach Jeacock on a two-year deal.
The goalkeeper is a free agent, having left Birmingham City earlier this year. He joined the Blues when he was eight and signed a three-year professional deal in May 2019. He was released in January, and trained for a short period with the Imps following his St Andrew’s departure.
Jeacock made four first-team appearances in the Championship for the Blues, keeping a clean sheet on his debut against Brentford. He gained further first-team experience through loans at Stourbridge Swifts, Gloucester City, and Salford City – making four appearances in League Two and the Papa Johns Trophy for the latter.
He has also been capped by England at Under 19 level, appearing against Greece and Belgium. He becomes the second keeper to join the Imps this summer, following their capture of Jamie Pardington.
“I’m really happy to get the deal done. If you look at this club’s track record over the last couple of seasons, the goalkeepers who have played here have gone on to do really well,” said the 23-year-old.
“Lukas had a very good year last season, so for developing goalkeepers, I see this club as one of the best throughout the leagues.”
Imps Director of Football, Jez George, admitted that Jeacock will head out on loan next season to get some games, coming in as the third choice behind Lukas Jensen and Pardington.
“We have signed Zach because we see him as a potential future No.1 goalkeeper,” he said. “He has a really good pedigree, played for England U19s and made his debut for Birmingham City in the Championship at just 19. Having left there in January, he trained with us for a week last season and impressed goalkeeping coach Scott Fry with his ability, mentality and potential.”
“Zach will train with us throughout pre-season and then we will find a loan that can provide him with a platform to play 40+ games at the best possible level. He is really talented, a great character and showed a real desire to sign for us ahead of other interest.
“In Jamie and Zach we feel as though we have two fantastic young goalkeepers who fit our profile and will push each other to ensure the long-term goalkeeping position is in good hands.”
He becomes Lincoln’s sixth permanent signing of the summer, and their third in a week, following on from JJ McKiernan and Rob Street, who agreed deals at the LNER Stadium on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
Writer’s View
Jeacock is a big lad, six-foot-five, and has a great command of his area. he does need games, hence the loan, but it seems Lincoln are trying to find a profile of keeper and recruit according to that – big, dominant and young. Lukas Jensen has a year left on his deal, and both Pardington and Jeacock will be hoping to stake a claim for the number one jersey in 12 months’ time.
City fans will be hoping he is as good as the last youngster they took from Birmingham City; Nick Townsend was hugely popular when he joined on loan ten years ago, gaining a cult following amongst supporters.
Founder of The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
