Photo Credit: Chris Vaughan/Lincoln City FC
Ben House has signed a new deal to extend his stay with the Imps until at least the summer 2025, it was announced today on the club official website.
Ben signed for the Imps in January 2022 from Eastleigh, but his football was limited in his first season with the club, featuring six times and scoring a singular goal in a brief cameo off the bench against Portsmouth. He ended that campaign with a small injury, meaning he couldn’t feature in the last few games of Michael Appleton’s reign, but it turned out he would thrive under new management.
Ben became a key player under Mark Kennedy last season, finishing as top goalscorer with 12 goals. His off the ball influence became just as crucial as his contribution on it, with Kennedy praising him countless times for his footballing intelligence and ability to lead the press. His rise last season saw reports of potential incoming bids this summer for him Although they may have been false, it’s fair to say that Championship clubs would have at least have looked at him considering his performances at times through the season.
Upon signing his new deal, Ben said: “I am absolutely delighted and buzzing to have finalised my next few years here. The staff and the fans were the main reasons for me wanting to continue here – they have been brilliant throughout and I have really felt at home.
“I’m at the point now where I have to establish myself so I hope I can pick up from a successful season last year to hit targets both personally and as a team. Ultimately I want to do well for the team and the fans and hopefully achieve something together.”
Director of Football, Jez George was delighted with Ben putting pen to paper and said: “Just as important as signing new players this summer has been extending Ben’s contract. Initially on his arrival, Ben had to overcome a number of challenges, with injury and illness, but as last season progressed he showed why we brought him to the club and his potential to play higher.
“That’s why this contract extension is so important to the club, as well as recognition for Ben, because he is a crucial player for us and fundamental to us building a really competitive squad.”
Ben signing a deal is massive news for the football club, and it really shows our ambition of challenging higher up the division. If we want to be successful, we have to keep our best players and Ben is part of this team’s spine. Ben is in the top three players at this club, along with Paudie O’Connor and Ethan Erhahon, they are the ones we want to build around. Them three starting every week, with Lasse Sorensen, Adam Jackson, Sean Roughan and Danny Mandroiu among others also playing their part, puts us in an amazing place going into the season and with Ben staying, it just solidifies that spine.
Confirming Ben’s future at the club means we now know we have two top strikers with us for this season, with Tyler Walker getting near to full fitness, and that’s a massive boost. Having two quality options is something we haven’t had for a long time. Whether we play them together, or use them separately, they will both be key to our success this season.
Ben will likely start for us on Saturday away at Bolton, and let’s hope we can celebrate his new deal with three points.