Fulham goalkeeper George Wickens has joined League One Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee.
The 22 year-old custodian, a boyhood Fulham fan who watched the Whites with his family, progressed impressively through Fulham’s academy set-up – helping the under-21 side return to the PL2 – and enjoyed successful loan spells with Wealdstone and Ross County.
Wickens leaves Craven Cottage without making a senior appearance but is excited by the challenge ahead of him at Sincil Park after signing a four year contract with the Imps.
“I’m absolutely buzzing. Lincoln City feels like the right place for me at the next stage of my development. You only need to look at the track record of the young goalkeepers the club have brought through in the past few years and how well they’ve gone on to do. A big reason for that is the trust that has been put in them. It’s a massive thing to have the club behind you because it breeds confidence and that’s how you get the best out of a player.”
City head coach Michael Skubala added: “George has all the attributes we look for in a goalkeeper and impressed us with his mentality and maturity in the recruitment and interview process. We feel that George has a really bright future ahead of him and we are excited to sign him ahead of other clubs. George has shown his character with his decision to leave Fulham in order to play regularly and forge his career as a number goalkeeper.”
Another promising young player leaving the club. We have a top class academy and rarely give any of them the opportunity to advance to the top level at the club. The club spends time and money developing their potential for other clubs to benefit.
Absolutely my view, see comments regarding Luke Harris, our actions point to total incompetence, if not lunacy.
We might be a ‘selling club’ but I don’t see us having a wad of cash to buy real talent. Something not quite right.
Echoes of O Riley and others. . HJ’s insistence on leading contract negotiations for any academy product has, it seems, struck again. Loan was blocked in 22/23 season, and again first half of last.
Trying to get academy products to sign up to undervalued contracts is one thing, but if we aren’t going to allow them out on loan to develop, how do we expect to retain them?