Bristol City have confirmed that central midfielder Joe Morrell has left the club to join Lincoln City on a season long loan.

The 22-year-old, who graduated through Bristol City's youth system, has made six appearances for the club in all competitions, with four of those appearances coming in league and cup competitions last season.

Morrell is now set to spend the coming campaign on loan with Lincoln, who were promoted to League One as League Two champions last season, and will be looking to establish themselves in the third tier of English football in the coming campaign.

Having spent brief loan spells on loan with non league sides Sutton and Margate during the 2016/17 campaign, Morrell spent the entirety of the 2017/18 season on loan with Cheltenham Town, making 39 appearances and scoring three goals in all competitions for the League Two side.

In January this year, Morrell signed a new contract with Bristol City that will tie him to Ashton Gate until the summer of 2021.

The verdict

This feels like a smart move all round.

For Bristol City, it means that they are able to get the impressions of Morrell's capabilities across the course of a whole season next year in a risk-free way, while also freeing up space in the squad for new recruits.

That as well will benefit Morrell, who has been given the opportunity of more first-team football with the move, while also having the chance to prove that he is capable of competing for a starting place with the Robins when he returns to Ashton Gate in 12 months' time.

Lincoln meanwhile are getting a player who will be desperate to prove himself by potentially shoring up their midfield as they look to take on the challenge of consolidating their place in League One.