After our exclusive reveal that Bromley had accepted a bid, Lincoln City have completed the permanent signing of Deji Elerewe.
City will pay an undisclosed fee for the central defender, believed to be in the low six figures, with Elerewe signing a long-term contract running until the summer of 2029, plus a one-year club option. The deal represents an early piece of long-term planning by the Imps, with the defender committing his future to the club well beyond the current season.
His arrival is the third at Sincil Bank since the window opened, with Josh Honohan and Alfie Lloyd already through the door.
Elerewe arrives after a standout campaign in Sky Bet League Two, where he has made 23 appearances for the division’s leaders, scoring four goals and playing a significant role in a defensive unit that has conceded the third fewest goals in the league.
Originally, he came through the academy at Charlton Athletic, making his senior debut in the EFL Cup in August 2021. Loan spells followed at Wealdstone and Bromley, before the National League club secured him permanently in February 2024. His development since then has been rapid, culminating in a move to League One at just 22.
City’s sporting director Jez George described the move as a clear market opportunity.
“Having monitored Deji for some time, signing him on a permanent transfer in this window was a market opportunity that we couldn’t afford to miss.
“Deji has outstanding physical attributes, an outstanding mentality and demonstrates all the behaviours that we value. He is super aggressive in his defending, aerially dominant and defends his box with real desire.”
Standing at 6ft 5 inches, Elerewe adds clear physical presence to the Imps’ defensive options, while also fitting the club’s preference for athletic, front-foot defenders.
Statistical profile
Elerewe’s numbers underline why City moved decisively. He wins 74 per cent of his aerial duels, placing him among the strongest centre-backs across League Two, and has contributed heavily at set pieces, both defensively and offensively. His four league goals this season reflect frequent first contact in the opposition box, while his expected assists figure highlights his threat when attacking dead-ball situations.
Defensively, he ranks in the top bracket for tackle success, showing both timing and discipline, and averages 6.3 clearances per match, a figure shaped by Bromley’s ability to limit sustained pressure rather than any lack of defensive involvement.
With Lincoln and Bromley sharing similarities in their direct, low-possession approaches, Elerewe’s transition into Michael Skubala’s system should be relatively smooth. On paper, it looks like a smart piece of business, offering both immediate competition and long-term upside for the Imps.
