After leaving home in Ireland as a teenager, Sean Roughan has since become one of City’s most notable Academy graduates in recent years.
The defender came over to join the Imps Academy aged 16, and two-and-a-half years later you cannot find any 19-year-olds who have played more minutes in Sky Bet League One this season.
He said: “I always had the dream to come over to England and play as a young kid.
“To have that opportunity to play abroad was always in my head and that helped ease me in from being away from home, because I knew I was doing what I wanted in life.”
Roughan has made 36 senior appearances for City so far, gaining experiences he hopes he can pass on to the next cohort of Academy graduates.
He said: “Coming through the Academy shows the growth over the years and so many have also done the same now, the likes of Sam Long, Freddie Draper, Elicha Ahui and Jovon Makama. To have the Academy develop players like that must be unbelievable for the club.
“You try and be there for them and give them advice, but on the other hand you must focus on what you’re doing.
“The main thing is telling them to enjoy it, because you’ve worked for opportunities and so you need to trust you are prepared and to not worry.”