Lincoln City have continued their long-term squad planning by triggering options to keep Tendayi Darikwa, Reeco Hackett and Conor McGrandles.
The three players are club captain, inform winger and current Player of the Year, and all three are now contracted with the Imps until June 2027.
Conor McGrandles, now in his second spell with the club, has made 175 appearances in all competitions since first signing in July 2020, and with his extension, he is sure to break into the 200s before he is done. He has been one of the side’s standout performers during the 2025/26 campaign, missing just one league fixture and delivering consistently high-level performances throughout the season.
Captain Tendayi Darikwa has now made 80 appearances for the Imps since arriving in July 2024, contributing 17 goals and assists from right back. That tally includes two goals in our most recent league fixture against Peterborough United.
His impact was clear from the outset, with Darikwa sweeping both the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards in his first season at the club, before being handed the captain’s armband last summer.
Reeco Hackett, who caught the eye with his form over Christmas and the New Year, including goals in victories over Stockport County and Peterborough United, has been a regular presence across his three seasons at the Imps. He has now made 98 competitive appearances for the club and is arguably enjoying the best form of his Lincoln City career to date.
‘We are looking to strengthen the group in this transfer window, but to do that we must also ensure that we do not weaken ourselves by losing any of our core senior players,” sporting director Jez George said.
“All three of the above fall into that bracket, all have been instrumental in our season to date, and all have a massive role to play for the remainder of this season. Therefore, the club wanted to show them our commitment and provide them with certainty about their contracts beyond the end of this season before we embark on the second half of the season.
“Following discussions with their respective representatives, we are delighted that we are all on the same page. We know the magnitude of the challenge ahead and we also know that Tendayi, Conor and Reeco are fundamental in what we are aiming to achieve.”
I understand Adam Reach has triggers that would see him stay at the Bank beyond the summer, meaning his being with us next season is in the club’s hands. Reach recently said in an interview that he would like to end his career with the Imps, and there are plenty of Imps fans who feel the same.
That would leave only two players from the current squad out of contract in the summer. Lewis Montsma has a rolling deal, but is expected to depart, be it in the winter window or in the summer, while injured James Collins is also believed to be out of contract in the summer.