Jovon commits to the Imps with new deal

Exciting young forward Jovon Makama has signed a new three-year deal to commit his future to the Imps until 2027.

This comes on the back of a great run of form, with supporters voting him Man of The Match on Saturday after his leading role in the win over Leyton Orient - including scoring the opening goal.

It was the Academy graduate’s 50th league appearance for the club, and the 20-year-old feels he is now making a real impact in Michael Skubala’s first-team.

He said: “I’m really pleased to see that the club are showing faith in me by offering me another deal and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds. 

“I have had a good start to the season and have made an impact in most games. Once I got that first goal, I was looking for the next one and cannot wait to score more goals and impact every game.

“I'm getting picked ahead of really good strikers and feel more established in the first team - I can't wait to see what the future holds.” 

Makama started alongside fellow Academy products Freddie Draper and Sean Roughan on Saturday, and he is grateful for the reception Imps supporters give all three players.

He added: “It's special to hear fans right behind you on a matchday when you're a young player, it gives myself, Freddie, Sean and other young players a real boost.

"It keeps pushing me and helps me work harder as we want to give them something back. I've known Freddie for a long time so it's brilliant to have taken our goals from the youth team into the first-team and make an impact on games for Lincoln City.

"And I owe a lot to Tom Shaw, whom I worked with at Derby County as a schoolboy and is the main reason I came here. He and David Bridges coached me in the Academy and have been a big part of my development, so it feels special to now be part of the first-team squad with them again coaching me.”

City's director of football Jez George said: “Jovon’s development over this calendar year has been impressive. Every young player’s pathway is different and, knowing Jovon’s character plus his ability to impact a game as a substitute, we thought his development was better served with us last season rather than being out on loan.  

“Jovon has really thrived since Michael’s arrival at the club. We have a head coach who demands consistently high standards and creates an elite environment on a daily basis, with appropriate challenge and support. It has been fantastic to see how Jovon has responded and earnt the respect of the staff, players and supporters through his application, work-rate and growing influence in our team.

“We worked really hard to sign Jovon after his release from Derby County at 16 years old and could see his huge potential. He has now matured, developed an elite mentality and therefore has been able to translate this potential into consistently high-level performances in League One. Jovon’s physical attributes mean he has a really high ceiling so we are delighted to have agreed this contract which enables us to continue working with him and collectively enjoy the result of his continued development on the pitch.”