Cardiff City supporters have been told to get excited about the imminent arrival of Jack Moylan, with the Republic of Ireland international described as a "little magician" capable of producing moments of brilliance.
The Bluebirds are expected to complete the signing of the Lincoln City midfielder later today after BBC Sport Lincolnshire reported on Wednesday morning that they anticipate the deal will be finalised before the close of play.
It follows comments from Lincoln chief executive Liam Scully, who admitted on Tuesday evening that he expected Moylan's move to Cardiff to go through, with the two clubs understood to have agreed a substantial transfer fee.
What can Cardiff expect from Moylan?
Now, Lincoln City supporter and The Stacey West editor Gary Hutchinson has given Cardiff supporters an insight into exactly what they can expect from the 24-year-old playmaker.
"Jack is a little magician," Hutchinson told WalesOnline. "He sits in the pocket behind a striker and looks to make things happen. He carries the ball well and can beat a player, something you don't see a lot these days."
"He's not single-minded, but he's not afraid to try something a bit different, especially in a game that needs a livener. He's got decent technique and 11 league goals underline his danger in and around the area."
Moylan's impressive season
Moylan enjoyed a superb campaign for Lincoln last season, scoring 11 league goals and adding seven assists as the Imps secured promotion to the Championship. His performances also earned him a senior Republic of Ireland debut, during which he famously scored a hat-trick against Grenada.
Despite losing one of their standout attacking players to a divisional rival, Hutchinson believes the move makes sense for both clubs.
"Of course we're disappointed, but that's football," he said. "For Cardiff City to be classed as a rival of Lincoln City is something we should be proud of. I was in Cardiff for our 2-0 win and the ground and set-up is Premier League."
"We're rivals when it comes to staying in the Championship, but we're not at the same level in terms of size, so Jack has to do what is best for Jack."
Transfer fee and best position
Lincoln are understood to be receiving a fee in the region of several million pounds, a remarkable return on a player they signed for around £50,000.
While Moylan has featured across midfield during his career, Hutchinson believes there is one position in particular where Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy will get the best out of him.
"In the hole behind the striker," he said. "That's where you want him. If he's an eight with box-to-box responsibilities, you're watering down his talent. He can play wide, but you want him picking the ball up in front of the back four, running at defenders and having options either side of him."
Is it a gamble?
There remains one obvious question mark over the deal, however. Despite his excellent League One campaign, Moylan is yet to kick a ball in the Championship and Hutchinson admits there is naturally an element of risk attached.
When asked if it was a gamble or whether he would back Moylan to flourish in the second tier, he replied: "If I'm honest, it's both. When he's your player, there is no doubt. But at this time last season we were debating where he fitted into the team after injuries and inconsistent form."
"I've seen a lot about us losing our best player, and in truth, we're losing a good player, but it's not like Leyton Orient and Dan Ballard, where one player was just so far ahead of the rest it was obvious."
"He has the ability to do well in the Championship. The question is whether a player who relies on technical ability and creativity will thrive when he's surrounded by players of a similar quality. It's easy to be the flashiest koi in a pond full of functional goldfish, but in a bigger pond with other flashy koi, will he stand out enough to justify the hype and fee?"
Reasons for optimism
Even so, Hutchinson believes Cardiff supporters have every reason to be optimistic. Having watched the Bluebirds last season, he sees Moylan as a player who could complement the attacking talent already at the club under Barry-Murphy.
"You clearly had players who could conjure something from nothing, like Rubin Colwill and Omari Kellyman," he said. "I'm not saying Jack is just more of the same because he's his own man, but Cardiff fans should judge him on what he brings to them, not what he brought to us."
"We played differently. We were functional, committed, aggressive and hard-working, so when a little spark of genius lit up a game we appreciated it even more. When the entire front line is sparking, it remains to be seen how bright Moylan's spark is compared to everyone else's. But if he reaches the levels we believed he could as last season wound down, be excited."
