Former Lincoln City midfielder Fin Barbrook could be on the move again this January, with League Two side Colchester United in talks over a loan deal.
The Ipswich Town player spent the first half of the season at Sincil Bank and now looks set for a fresh opportunity further down the pyramid, with legendary City manager Cowley reportedly eager to take him to the JobServe Community Stadium.
Colchester are understood to be keen on bringing in the 21-year-old before Monday’s transfer deadline, with their midfield options stretched by injuries. Teddy Bishop, Milton Oni and Ben Perry are all currently sidelined, prompting the U’s to explore the loan market.
Fin Barbrook
Fin is a product of the Ipswich academy, having joined the club at the age of six, and made his senior debut earlier this season in the Carabao Cup against Bromley. That appearance came in August 2025 and was one of the first chances for the midfielder to showcase himself at senior level for Town.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was quick to praise Barbrook’s contribution in that tie, highlighting the responsibility he took on in a midfield area where Ipswich were short of options at the time. McKenna pointed to Barbrook’s composure and ability to step up during his first sustained spell with the first team, comments that underlined the club’s belief in his long-term potential.
Fin arrived at the Bank last summer on a season-long loan, with hopes that regular senior football could help accelerate his development. In the end, his involvement with the Imps was limited to three appearances, all of which came in the EFL Trophy. That competition-only involvement meant Barbrook remained eligible to feature for a third club this season, opening the door to a January move elsewhere.
He returned to Ipswich earlier this month with the expectation that another loan would be arranged for the second half of the campaign, ideally one that offers more consistent league minutes than were available at Lincoln.
Prior to his spell with City, the midfielder had already built up a solid body of experience in non-league football. During the 2024/25 season, he spent time on loan with Sutton United in the National League, where he made 37 appearances and scored three goals, a productive campaign that helped raise his profile. He had also previously featured for Chelmsford City, making 11 appearances in the 2023/24 season, scoring twice and gaining exposure in high-pressure play-off fixtures.
Barbrook signed his first professional contract with Ipswich in the summer of 2023 and was named the club’s academy player of the year in 2024, further evidence of how highly he is rated at Portman Road. He has also featured in pre-season fixtures for Ipswich, including appearances during a tour of Austria against high-calibre opposition.
Of course, purely from a personal level, I’d love to see him go to Colchester, because wherever Danny and Nicky are is going to be a good environment. I want them to do well until they’re in our league, and then I want them to do well, but just less well than us.