Mikkel Ladefoged is the latest addition to Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s squad, with the Danish striker joining City following an impressive spell with Västerås SK.
Born in Næsby, Denmark, Ladefoged began his football journey with local club Næsby Boldklub.
His goalscoring ability was evident from an early age, with the striker finishing as the top scorer in Denmark's U19 Drenge Divisionen during the 2021/22 season after scoring 31 goals.
That form earned him the opportunity to step into senior football, with Ladefoged joining Sønderjyske in 2022. He made his senior debut against Hillerød in July 2022, beginning his professional career in Denmark's second tier.
Looking for first-team experience, Ladefoged joined Næstved on loan during the 2023/24 season. He went on to score nine goals in 20 appearances, finishing as Næstved's leading scorer for the season.
Another loan spell followed, with Ladefoged joining Esbjerg for the 2024/25 season before making the move that would take his career to another level. In January 2025, the striker joined Swedish side Västerås SK on a permanent deal and he certainly made an impression.
Ladefoged scored 10 goals in 15 league appearances during his first season in Sweden, helping Västerås secure promotion to the Allsvenskan.
Ladefoged continued his goalscoring form during the 2026 campaign, finding the net nine times in his first 14 league appearances for Västerås. His 19 league goals across the 2025 and 2026 seasons helped establish him as one of the club's key attacking players.
Standing at 6 ft 8 in, Ladefoged is certainly an imposing presence in attack but his game isn't simply about his physical stature. His goalscoring record throughout his career shows a striker who knows where the back of the net is, while his performances in Sweden have demonstrated his ability to contribute consistently at senior level.
The Danish forward's rise in Sweden also caught the attention of clubs elsewhere, with his performances attracting interest before City completed his move to Lincoln.
Now Ladefoged takes on the next chapter of his career - and his first taste of English football.
