Lincoln starlet Jack Hobbs is close to completing a move to Liverpool.
The two clubs have agreed a deal for the 16 year-old defender, who has been on trial at Liverpool, which is likely to net Lincoln up to £750,000.

Hobbs, who has undergone a medical, is set to officially sign on his 17th birthday on 18 August.

Liverpool beat off competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Bolton to bring the defender to Anfield.

A proposed switch to Highbury broke down when the Gunners refused to include a sell-on clause in the compensation package.

Highbury vice-chairman David Dein made an improved offer to Lincoln 10 days ago, but by then the Imps had agreed a deal with Liverpool and Hobbs had decided on his choice of destination.

Hobbs, who has one year remaining on his scholarship at Sincil Bank said: "It's a dream come true for me and I'm really excited about becoming a Liverpool player.

"It looks like it will be a three-year contract. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and I'll be an official Liverpool player sometime next month. It's all looking good at the moment.

"I met Rafael Benitez properly for the first time on Friday; he shook my hand and wished me all the best. It's been hard work since I've been here - training twice a day - but I couldn't be happier."

The deal for Hobbs will see Liverpool travel to Sincil Bank next July to play the Imps in a friendly.

"That will guarantee us a full house of over 10,000 and between £60-£80,000 in gate receipts," said Lincoln executive director Keith Rowe.

"All the paperwork has been drawn up and it's just a case of myself and Rick Parry signing it on Monday, and then Jack will be free to sign when he turns 17."

Hobbs, who has been with Lincoln since he was nine, has only three minutes of first-team action with the Imps under his belt.

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