Imps Add Premier League Striker on Loan
Analysis as Joe Taylor signs for the Imps on loan…
Lincoln City have signed Joe Taylor on loan from Premier League side, Luton Town, for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season. Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for Lincoln City FC Date: January 9, 2024
Joe Taylor has signed for the Imps on loan until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old striker signs for City from Luton Town, following a successful loan spell with League Two side Colchester United.
Taylor started his career with Norwich City in the academy before getting released at the age of 15. Following his Norwich release, he had to spend time with lower league sides Swaffham Town and Kings Lynn Town.
His first spell in professional football was a loan spell to the Eastern Counties League Premier Division with Wroxham. Despite not spending long with the club, he had an extremely successful spell scoring 21 goals in 13 games. After being recalled, he made his National League debut off the bench for Kings Lynn in a 1-0 home defeat to Solihull Moors.
His form at Wroxham was enough to earn a move into the EFL with Peterborough United. He initially joined up with the club’s under-23 squad, having an impressive few months including a hat-trick in the Premier League Cup quarter-final victory against Charlton Athletic. Taylor made his first-team debut in the Championship against Bournemouth, before scoring his first goal in the next season against Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Cup.
In January 2023, Taylor made the move to promotion chasing Luton Town in the Championship. He came off the bench in the Championship play-off final at Wembley – having a late goal disallowed and scoring in the penalty shootout. His penalty in the shootout contributed towards Luton earning a remarkable return to the Premier League for the first time since 1992.
City have been lacking attacking options this season, with Tyler Walker and Ben House out with long term injuries, and Reeco Hackett missing a large period of the season. Things are looking up for Michael Skubala’s side though, Jack Moylan is available for City’s trip to Wigan, as is the recalled Freddie Draper, while Hackett is back in first team training.
Jack Vale and Mide Shodipo departed the Imps last week, but with two attacking options now in the building, there are positive signs for the future. Wycombe away will see the Imps have Joe Taylor, Freddie Draper, Jack Moylan, Reeco Hackett, Jovon Makama and Hakeeb Adelakun available for selection in attack.
He said: “This is a young team, and the club has a real vision for where it wants to be. The head coach has a reputation for improving players, which will fit me perfectly as I’m still developing myself.
“I’ve played in front of the fans before and they have always been magnificent, the atmosphere they can create is incredible and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Head coach Michael Skubala said: “Joe has all the attributes that we need: he will add pace, power and threat to our front line, which will help to make us a better team. We are also committed to make sure he returns to Luton as a better player.
“Losing Ben House and Tyler Walker through injury has been a massive blow. With Joe and Freddie Draper, we now have two completely different centre-forwards, with a total of 22 goals between them in League Two this season, to come into our squad.”
City’s director of football Jez George added: “We have worked extremely hard over a long period of time to convince Luton Town and Joe that we are the best club for the next stage of his development, so we are delighted to have secured this loan ahead of a huge number of League One clubs.
“Joe will undoubtedly help us, but it is also crucial to us that we help him as I know a big factor in his decision was the opportunity to work with Michael Skubala, knowing his coaching ability and track record in developing young players.”
