Lincoln City pull off club-record deal for Romanian defender

Lincoln City have completed the club’s record signing with defender Andrei Coubis arriving from Universitatea Cluj on a five-year contract. The 22-year-old centre-back becomes the Imps’ latest arrival under Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw as they gear up for the Championship campaign.

What happened in the transfer

Coubis put pen to paper after Lincoln agreed a permanent transfer with Universitatea Cluj, pending work permit and international clearance. The deal marks the club’s first seven-figure purchase, ending a spell where Lincoln’s biggest outlay was under £1m. City’s sporting director Jez George called Coubis a perfect fit for the backline, praising his elite physicality, aggression and composure in possession.

The defender arrives with a strong pedigree. He spent more than a decade in AC Milan’s academy before brief spells at Sampdoria and Universitatea Cluj. His development continued in Romania’s top flight, where he made his senior debut for the Romanian national team over the summer. Coubis also featured in Universitatea Cluj’s 9 July qualifier against Dynamo Kiev, a match that unlocked his eligibility for an ESC slot.

How Lincoln’s scouting team landed the coup

City’s recruitment staff identified Coubis last season despite playing in Romania’s band six division. They anticipated the rules change when Universitatea Cluj qualified for European competition. Once Coubis took the field in the qualifier, the Imps ramped up their interest and sealed the deal ahead of late interest from Championship rivals and Turkish clubs.

George said the lure of English football, City’s style and fan atmosphere swayed Coubis. The defender remains unavailable until his work visa arrives, meaning he can’t train or speak to media yet. City will now focus on finalising further additions further up the pitch.

What Coubis brings to Lincoln’s backline

At 6ft 5in, Coubis adds height and physical presence to a defensive unit reshaped since January. Calum Elder, Deji Elerewe and Josh Honohan joined earlier in the campaign, completing the recruitment for this part of the team. His arrival gives City a new dimension in defensive duels and comfort in possession, adding competition to an already strengthened backline.