Lincoln City transfer blueprint exposed by Norwich City - it should be applauded though | OneFootball

Lincoln City have their first million pound player, but it is not the one that was expected.

Lincoln City have their first million pound player, but it is not the one that was expected.

Academy product Jovon Makama has been snapped up by Sky Bet Championship outfit Norwich City, leaving the Imps with a major financial boost. It surpasses all other fees received by the club, and is heads and shoulders above the likes of Sean Roughan and Ethan Erhahon, who also exited this summer.

But, perhaps more importantly, it proves the much-talked-about transfer model works. It is an example that the club needed after recent failures, such as Sam Clucas' not-so-fairytale return, and plenty of fan disgruntlement.

Jovon Makama flies the Lincoln City nest

The 21-year-old netted 11 goals last term in a breakout campaign for Michael Skubala's side. That has done enough to impress a second-tier suitor, with Makama now afforded the opportunity to express his talents at a higher level.

The striker has penned a three-year deal with the Canaries, though there is an option for a further period at the club.

When news first trickled through of Makama's impending exit, it threw a shadow over the opening day victory against Reading. But, in the light of day, it looks a superb piece of business for Lincoln.

The reported fee stands at £1.2m, though claims have been made both above and below that figure. What is known is that the fee is north of £1m, signaling a massive moment in the history of the Imps.

A club-record fee for the striker has been welcomed as a success story, pushing forward the message behind Lincoln's sustainable transfer model.

In what can be simplified as 'buy low, sell high', or recruiting young talent before developing them to the next stages of their career.

It has been tried and tested by a number of clubs at League One level. Peterborough United are another prominent example, but Makama's sale has provided proof of concept for the higher-ups at the LNER Stadium.

Norwich City spending proves Imps transfer model

Supporters have rightfully welcomed the news of Makama's sale to Norwich, despite the fact that Lincoln will now head into the new third tier campaign without one of their top talent.

That is because it is a great money-maker for the club, being able to achieve a return on investment and tangibly prove that the ideal at the very core of their recruitment policy works. Jez George, the Imps' director of football, will surely be delighted to quieten his detractors, while focus now turns to reinvesting the funds provided by the Canaries.

Lincoln has only brought in two signings this summer, with defenders Sonny Bradley and Ryler Towler joining the ranks from Derby County and Portsmouth respectively.

Huddersfield Town has poached young Roughan for a healthy compensation package and Ethan Erhahon moved to Wanderers for a fee rumoured to be £750,000, while captain Paudie O'Connor switched to Reading. That had painted a very negative picture of the Imps' fortunes for the upcoming campaign, but they now have the money to reinvest and propel themselves forward.

There is no doubting that the sale of Makama for over £1m is a massive accomplishment for all involved. That includes the players and staff who have helped the youngster develop into a trusty and varied attacker, the Imps' academy structure, and Makama himself.

He greatly boosts the Lincoln bank balance, but also proves that the club's transfer policy is the right way forward. Through no other avenue would they be able to secure such a drastic return on investment.