Lincoln sign centre-back Bradley after Derby exit

Sonny Bradley is the first signing Lincoln City have made this summer

Lincoln City have signed Sonny Bradley on a two-year deal after the centre-back was released by Championship club Derby County at the end of the season.

Bradley last featured for the Rams in January, with the 33-year-old seeing out the final months of the season - and his Derby contract - on loan with Wycombe Wanderers in League One.

He made 41 of his 50 appearances for Derby in his first season at Pride Park in 2023-24, helping them win promotion back to the Championship after two seasons in the third tier.

Lincoln will be the ninth club that Bradley has featured for in a 15-year professional career that started with Hull City and has also included stints at Luton Town, Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle.

Bradley will be reunited with former Luton and Rams team-mate James Collins, the striker who spearhead Derby's promotion from League One 12 months ago, as well as assistant coach Chris Cohen, who he previously worked with at the Hatters.

He says both played a part in convincing him to make the move.

"It was straightforward decision after speaking to people I already know at the club," Bradley told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

"A couple of quick conversations with James Collins, Chris Cohen and a the manager as well, and I was happy and in for a medical.

"When I do follow James about, it only brings success. It did at Luton and did at Derby so hopefully we can do the same here.

"I'm just looking forward to getting started now."

Bradley is the first summer addition made by Lincoln, with his arrival coming a day after 17-year-old winger Zane Okoro signed his first professional deal with the club.