Lincoln City full back Jay Benn has joined Sky Bet League Two side Bradford City on a season-long loan.
The Imps had a quiet deadline day, adding Plymouth Argyle left back Saxon Earley on a loan, and they allowed one out in the form of Benn.
The 23-year-old joined the Imps from Halifax Town in the summer of 2022, and featured most recently in the Carabao Cup against Harrogate Town. In addition to his four senior outings for the Imps, he has had spells at Bohemians and Solihull Moors.
His spell in the National League was particularly successful as he helped the Moors side to two Wembley appearances. Although injury blighted his season, keeping him out of the National League promotion final, he did feature in the agonising FA Trophy final defeat against Gateshead.
“This is a really good next step for Jay’s development at a big club with aspirations to match,” said Lincoln’s Director of Football, Jez George.
“This gives us the opportunity to monitor Jay’s development at the next level over the next 12 months, and it’s a great opportunity for Jay.”
The Imps were expected to allow a keeper to head out on loan, with a striker also suggested as a departure on what could have been a busy deadline day. Instead, they bolted the door firmly, with no big departures.
That included Ethan Erhahon, the talented midfielder who has been turning heads throughout the summer. It’s thought details of the fee needed to secure his services were made widely available, and despite a lot of interest, the Imps have been able to hang on to the jewel in their crown for another six months.
Bradford begin the day second in the early League One table, having beaten one of Alexander’s former clubs, MK Dons, on the season’s opening day. A draw with another of his former clubs, Salford, was their only goalless outing, while last weekend they defeated ten-man Bromley 3-1.
Writer’s View
This was a huge transfer window for Lincoln, and there’s as much news in who didn’t move as in those who did leave the club.
Benn left, and while it may seem like a minor departure for Lincoln, it is a great capture for Bradford. It’s closer to his Yorkshire home, which should help him settle quickly, and he proved with Solihull last season that he’s a talented boy with a lot to offer.
League One might be a step too far right now, but League Two is the right place for him to get regular minutes, and he couldn’t have picked a bigger club than Bradford City, a sleeping giant waiting to step back up.
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