Lincoln sign Aston Villa keeper Gauci on loan

Joe Gauci has earned eight international caps for Australia [Getty Images] Championship newcomers Lincoln City have signed Aston Villa goalkeeper Joe Gauci on a season-long loan. The 26-year-old's transfer to the Imps will be a step up for the Australia international after he spent last season on loan in League One with Port Vale. While it was a campaign that ended with relegation, the 11 clean sheets he kept as the Valiants dropped out of the division helped to get him a move up to the second tier with the side that won the League One title. The Socceroos keeper, who was left out of Australia's World Cup squad after being part of a pre-tournament camp, has featured just twice for Aston Villa - both appearances coming in the Carabao Cup - since joining the Premier League side from Adelaide United in February 2024. His addition to a Lincoln side preparing for its first season in the second tier for 65 years is an effort to bolster the club's goalkeeping ranks, headed by established first-choice keeper George Wickens and Jamie Pardington. "Joe has a lot of the qualities that we want in a goalkeeper, but most importantly he is ambitious, driven and comes knowing that George is our Number 1, but with the aim and desire to compete with him for a place in the team," Lincoln's goalkeeping coach David Preece told the club website. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page