Varfolomeev extends Lincoln stay until 2030

Lincoln City midfielder Ivan Varfolomeev has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the Championship club until the summer of 2030.

The 22-year-old Ukrainian joined the Imps on a four-year deal in the summer of 2025 from Czech side Slovan Liberec for what was then a club record fee of about £350,000.

He helped Lincoln to promotion as League One title winners in his first campaign in English football and has so far featured in seven of their eight games back in the second tier after a 65-year absence.

Lincoln's sporting director Jez George says agreeing a new deal with Varfolomeev, who he regards as one of Lincoln's "outstanding young players", is an example of the club "continuing to build for the future".

Varfolomeev's new deal with the Imps comes in the same week that he has linked up with the Ukraine national side for the first time.

The midfielder is in contention to make his senior debut for his country in the upcoming run of Nations League matches, which includes home and away ties with Hungary, as well as matches against Georgia and Northern Ireland.

Varfolomeev spoke to BBC Radio Lincolnshire during pre-season about how he has settled into life in Lincolnshire while worrying about his family, who have remained in Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

"With the ongoing conflict and Ivan's parents back in Ukraine, there is added significance for Ivan and his family in him representing Ukraine at any level but especially the senior team," George told the club website., external

"I am sure all Imps fans will watch avidly what we hope will be a full debut for Ukraine before he returns to Lincoln after the international break."