Worthing are in talks to sign former Lincoln City and Shrewsbury Town midfielder Sam Clucas on a free transfer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The 36-year-old has been without a club since leaving Salop by mutual consent in August.

Worthing Target Experienced Midfielder

The National League newcomers are exploring a move for a player whose career has included Premier League football with Hull and Swansea City. Clucas also spent five years at Stoke before subsequent spells with Rotherham United, Oldham Athletic, Lincoln City and Shrewsbury.

Jacobs named Worthing as the club pursuing the midfielder in an update published on Monday. He wrote:

“Worthing are in talks to sign Sam Clucas on a free transfer. Former Hull and Stoke midfielder was last at Shrewsbury Town.”

Worthing won the National League South title last season to reach the fifth tier for the first time in their history. Signing Clucas would add considerable experience to their squad, while offering the midfielder a return to competitive football following his Shrewsbury departure.

It would also mark another spell in the National League after his brief stay at Oldham during the 2024/25 campaign. That move preceded a return to hometown club Lincoln in January 2025, where he made eight league appearances and scored once before moving on that summer.

Shrewsbury Departure Followed Regular Football

Clucas signed a two-year contract at Shrewsbury after opting against remaining with Lincoln in a player-coach capacity. At that stage, he wanted to prioritise playing, and initially secured the regular football he had been seeking in Shropshire.

He started Shrewsbury’s opening 30 league fixtures and was used both in central midfield and at left wing-back. However, a hamstring injury suffered against Colchester United disrupted his season, leaving him with only five further appearances during the remainder of the campaign.

Despite that setback, Clucas finished with 40 appearances in all competitions, two goals and five assists. The latter total made him Shrewsbury’s leading assist provider, but he was subsequently made available for transfer and informed that he did not feature in the plans for the new season.

His contract was eventually ended a year early, allowing him to seek another club as a free agent. Worthing have now emerged as a potential destination more than two months after that agreement was reached.

A Career Across The Divisions

Clucas’ route to the top flight took him through Jerez Industrial, Hereford United, Mansfield Town and Chesterfield following his first departure from Lincoln in 2010. He later helped Hull win promotion to the Premier League before moving to Swansea and then Stoke.

That background would make him an experienced addition for Worthing as they establish themselves at National League level. For now, Jacobs’ report indicates discussions are taking place, with a completed transfer yet to be announced.