City have completed the signing of left-back Callum Elder, who has signed a two-year contract with the Imps.
The 31-year-old brings significant experience of playing in the Sky Bet Championship and makes the move to Lincolnshire after a three-year spell at Derby County. He has also featured in the second tier for Hull City, as well as Brentford, Barnsley and Ipswich Town on loan from Leicester City, who he joined as a scholar.
Callum said: "The football club has made fantastic progress over the past 12 months, both on and off the pitch, so it’s an exciting time to join Lincoln City and I’m really pleased to be here.
"I had some really good conversations with Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw. You could see their commitment to the project, their attention to detail, and their belief in what the club is trying to build. For them to believe that I am someone who can help to take the club forward is really exciting for me. I can’t wait to give everything I have to help achieve that.
"The facilities are excellent. The Gen2 Energy Elite Performance Centre is outstanding, and there are further improvements planned as well. Seeing everything that’s already in place gives me real excitement about what can be achieved this season.
"I’m a committed player and I like to get up and down the pitch as a full-back. I’ve spoken to a few of the lads I already know here, like Sonny Bradley and James Collins, and they’ve talked about the commitment of every player, and I saw that myself watching the team last season.
"I’m excited to join a group of players with that mentality and, with the belief that’s already in the squad, I think we can achieve some good things this season. For the squad to go on the unbeaten run they did last season is a testament to the players and the commitment they’ve shown. If we can replicate that level of commitment, it can take you a long way in this division.
"Of course you need quality as well, but there’s plenty of quality in that changing room. I’m really excited to become part of it and play my role in what we’re trying to achieve this season."
Head coach Tom Shaw said: “We are delighted that Callum is the club’s first addition to the squad this summer, providing us with competition in a position that Adam Reach and Ryley Towler excelled last season, and recent Championship know-how. He is slightly different in how he plays the role, so this gives us tremendous left-footed balance for our defensive options, which is something we felt was important in constructing the overall squad profile.”
Sporting director Jez George added: “This is a player that we’ve been speaking with since the end of last season, knowing he was a free agent and as well as his attributes as a player, we are adding Championship experience over a decade, but also recently with 28 appearances for Derby County last season and more than 200 appearances in the last five seasons. We feel this is a really sensible signing for us that will benefit the whole group.”