Lincoln City start their summer transfer business as Lewis Fiorini joins on loan

Lincoln City have made their first signing of the summer transfer window, with Lewis Fiorini arriving on loan from Manchester City.

The 19-year-old came through the Citizens’ academy, having worked his way up through the youth teams for over a decade. His rapid progression saw him called up for the Scottish national team at various youth levels, although he has failed to start for his club’s senior team under Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City have strong links to Dutch club NAC Breda, and an agreement to work together to develop youth players was made in 2016. The likes of Angeliño, Brandon Barker and Manu Garcia had successful loan stints in Noord-Brabant. Fiorini followed in their footsteps by moving to the Eerste Divisie on loan last season.

Despite this being his first experience of professional football, he was a revelation. However, despite scoring five goals and assisting six in 32 appearances from midfield, his side failed to win promotion after losing in the play-off final against NEC Nijmegen.

Experience of English football seemed to be a natural next step for the Scottish youngster. Despite falling short in the League One play-off final against Blackpool, Michael Appleton’s Lincoln still present an appealing option to loan young players. The Imps took fellow Man City academy graduate Morgan Rogers on loan last season, significantly helping his development.

Furthermore, the departure of Jorge Grant to Peterborough United leaves a gap in Lincoln’s midfield. The former Nottingham Forest man has a knack for scoring goals from midfield, and Fiorini will be expected to step up and contribute to the Imps’ attacking efforts.

A move to League One will give Fiorini a first taste of professional football in England, and it will likely provide a step up in intensity from what he experienced in the Dutch second tier. The expectations will be high given the success of Lincoln’s previous loanees.

While this is the first incoming of the summer for the Imps, many more are expected to arrive at the LNER Stadium ahead of their opening league fixture away at Gillingham.

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