Lincoln City duo Sam Long and Sean Roughan have joined Airtricity League club Drogheda United on loan for the upcoming 2022 season.
Goalkeeper Long appears to be set to replace David Odumosu, who has been on trial with Bournemouth and Bolton, while Roughan will fill the gap left by new Blackburn Rovers signing James Brown.
Ireland under-19 international Roughan made his Lincoln debut aged 17 in 2020 and the defender made 11 further appearances on Lincoln's first team, and spent time on trial at Chelsea.
Lincoln City's Director of Football Jez George said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for both players. We know the people at Drogheda, we know the league and we respect the level. There could not have been a better outcome for each of them in their individual circumstances.”
“Sam moves after making his league debut and needs to be the number one, playing every week. Sean will join him at the end of his rehab from a minor ankle operation which is expected to be at the end of February.
"Therefore, the fact that this league starts in mid-February and continues throughout the summer, means that we can maximise their number of games right up to returning to Lincoln for pre-season. With their games on Friday evenings, this allows our staff to watch them play live.”
He added: “Sam demonstrated his huge potential again on Saturday, with such an assured League One debut, and Sean did so 18 months ago, starting last season in the team and performing so well in wins against the likes of Oxford, Ipswich and Charlton.
"This loan will give them both the opportunity to play every week, it will be a fantastic experience for them, and it will put them in the best possible position to come back to fight for a place in our team next season.”
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