Out of contract but not out of luck Welsh under 21 international Regan Poole has decided to invoke a clause in his Lincoln City contract to look at his numerous options in the Championship. The Cardiff born defender, raised in Grangetown and rejected by his home town club is one of numerous possibilities Michael Duff has for the summer. However, he will though have some competition.

Bristol City as it stands are understood to be out in front to sign Regan but there are other clubs in pursuit of his signature. And Swansea City are one of those clubs. However, don’t hold your breath because interest and desire are two different things. Regan played for MK Dons under ex Swans boss Russell Martin. When at MK Martin released him to sign for Lincoln City in 2020 stating. “We were made aware of the interest in Regan a while back. Regan is a really good pro, whose attitude and application is fantastic, so when he expressed a desire to leave, it was only right we gave him the opportunity to explore the option. From our point of view, we've managed to secure a good financial deal for somebody who we don't see playing regularly. We wish him all the very best but our focus is now on replacing him, and that's something we've planning for, given the lengthy interest there has been in him."

That was then, but time has certainly dealt Regan some very good cards.

When Regan joined the Imps he immediately made an impression with the fans and last season was voted player of the year, and players player of the year at the end of season awards. It has to be said over time at Lincoln he has earned a lot of respect from his fellow professionals. But there’s a lot more to Regan’s story. When he was released at fifteen by the Bluebirds, Regan found himself back in the mix of Saturday and Sunday football in Cardiff. It was a toss up at that time between baseball and football for Regan, but football won the day.

Playing for local Cardiff side St Albans, he was spotted by then Newport assistant Mike Flynn. He watched him for half an hour and his mind was made up. At that time the now sadly departed Justin Edinburgh was Newport manager, and he too was impressed. So much so that in 2014 he picked Poole for his Football League debut away to Shrewsbury at the age of just sixteen years and ninety four days. He became Newport's youngest player in history, eclipsing a record set by Steve Aizlewood in 1969. Then Manchester United came sniffing on the last day of the summer transfer window in 2015.

That day they signed Poole and another player called - Anthony Martial. Poole cost an initial hundred thousand pounds, Martial a bit more at thirty six million. Then Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal couldn’t pick Regan for five months due to technicalities, but he trained with the first team, and due to that international clearance hold up Regan may well have been lost in the United mix. Regan did play for United against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League but that all seemed a bit much for him.

However it did take a reunited loan with Justin Edinburgh at Northampton, and a return to Newport County, again on loan before he signed for MK Dons in 2019 on a permanent deal. That was just a few months before Martin was appointed manager. That’s full circle to today and Poole is now in one of football’s strong positions. Let’s be honest he wouldn’t have requested to leave Lincoln City if he didn’t have a club lined up. And that club will most certainly be in the championship. With five teams at least in for the twenty five year old the winner will have a decent player on their hands. And most believe he will fit in to the championship easily.

Regan Poole is another versatile and adaptable player, not dissimilar in his versatility to Ryan Manning, but maybe with a more defensive mindset. Speaking after he joined Lincoln Poole said. “I’ve played a lot of football since I joined, obviously it was really disappointing last year because I would have loved to have been promoted, and it’s been a tough season so far, but we’re in a very good place as a group and it’s only a matter of time before we start climbing the table. I’ve played a lot of my career at centre-half. I’ve probably played more professional games in that position than I have at right-back, so it’s not new to me, but it is different going back in there from out wide. It is nice to have the versatility in your game and give the gaffer and the team different options. But I played a lot of games in centre-half now so it's nice to have that consistency and I feel as though I’m getting better.”

Having played at most levels and at Under 21 for Wales Regan is now a free agent having tuned down a renewed contract at Sincil Bank. The reason being he now feels ready to fulfil his ambition of championship football. Revered by many in League one and receiving many accolades last season for his ability on the ball defensively, there may well be an opportunity for him at Swansea ?

His strengths are his anticipation in the tackle as well as long range passing. Regan seems to have the clear attributes Michael Duff desires from his players, and maybe since his time at MK Dons has learned a little bit as well ? If that’s the case then the Swans won’t be signing a player to fit into a squarely drilled round hole, they will have a utility defender who can play across the back four.

He may just well fit !

Throughout the summer we will be reviewing players linked to Swansea City, be that tenuously or far more firmer. We have started today with Regan Poole as it is almost certain he will be announced by his new club in the very near future.

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Photographs licensed from Reuters

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