Lincoln City have completed the permanent signing of exciting wide player Erik Ring on a long-term contract, subject to Home Office approval.
He has signed a deal that runs until the summer of 2028. He is making the move from his boyhood club, AIK Stockholm, having come through their Academy. The 22-year-old, who has been capped at the U21 level by Sweden, can play as a wing-back on either side of the pitch or in any attacking role.
“Joining Lincoln City feels like the right step for me, to come in and play at a high level and as part of a young and ambitious team,” the player told the Imps’ official site.
“I’ve played for AIK since I was 15 and have been training with the first-team since 2020. I’m a supporter of AIK so playing for them has been amazing and the club has meant a lot to me. I would not have left unless I thought it was a really good opportunity, which is how I see Lincoln.”
Head coach Michael Skubala is clearly delighted with his new signing, adding: “Erik is a really exciting young player, with huge potential, and possesses the pace and power that we have wanted to add to the squad.
“We believe Erik can make an impact for us this season but we should also be patient with him as he adapts to the physical demands and intensity of English football.”
The Imps have been linked with Ring for a couple of weeks, but as Director of Football, Jez George, cofnirmed, they’ve been eyeing a swoop for the Swede for much longer.
“Erik is a player that we identified early this summer through our global recruitment process, led by Matt Page & Toby Ellis, using data to highlight outliers who fit our player profiles across every league that adheres to the ESC criteria.
“We believe that we have signed a top talent, with the character and mindset to succeed in England, who we are sure will excite our fans.”
The Imps opened the season with mixed results. They beat Burton 3-2 on the opening day, but they have since lost to Harrogate Town in the League Cup and Barnsley in League One. In both matches, they fell 2-0 behind before a late rally.
This weekend, they face local rivals Mansfield Town for the first time since the 2018/19 season, seeking their first league victory against the Stags in almost 17 years.
Writer’s View
This is massive for the Imps. They’re short on the left side, having lost Reeco Hackett to injury and promoting Dylan Duffy despite him having a gambling charge hanging over his head.
According to the comments, Ring might not be ready for first-team action straight away, but it is highly likely that he will be thrown into action sooner rather than later. He’s physical and direct and looks perfectly suited to a wing-back position, which is where the Imps need him.
With Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamarteri also linked with the club, it looks like they’re putting the final touches to their squad ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
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