Lincoln City have taken former Wigan Athletic midfielder Matt Smith on trial ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Ex Wigan Athletic midfielder Matt Smith featured as a trialist for Championship side Lincoln City on Tuesday evening.
The Imps were thrashed 5-1 by Grimsby Town with Smith featuring in the second half. The 25-year-old is expected to leave Wigan Athletic.
Smith wasn’t confirmed as leaving the club following the expiry of his contract in May, with discussions underway over an extension. While there has been no update, the trial all but confirms an exit from the Brick Community Stadium.
Matt Smith features as Lincoln City beaten by Grimsby Town
There was little for Lincoln City fans to love on Tuesday night but Smith did play an important role in the one goal the Championship side scored.
The midfielder played a clever ball through to Oscar Thorn, whose saved shot was eventually turned in by Dom Jefferies as a consolation.
Smith has spent the last three seasons with Wigan, having arrived from Arsenal on a three-year contract in the summer of 2023. He has made 99 appearances for the Latics.
The midfielder spent 16 years working his way through the academy at Arsenal and was sent out on loan to Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Doncaster Rovers during his time with the club.
Smith picked up an FA Cup winners’ medal with Arsenal in 2020, but never made a senior appearance for the London outfit. The player has never played at a level higher than League One.
The ex Latics star made 43 appearances across all competitions last season, including 60 minutes at the Emirates Stadium when Wigan Athletic were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal in the FA Cup Fourth Round.
Matt Smith’s 2025/26 Wigan Athletic stats
Games Goals Assists
43 1 2
Gary Caldwell confirms Smith departure
Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell was asked about Smith’s future by Wigan Today and confirmed that the player had not been involved in pre-season ahead of the League One campaign.
Smith is believed to be keen to prove himself at Championship level, having had multiple offers for another season in League One.
The midfielder had been offered a contract by Wigan Athletic and Caldwell said that the club had ‘moved on’ thanks to incomings, including the returning Max Power from Bradford City.
The 33-year-old is preparing for a third spell with the Latics, having played nearly 4,500 minutes for Bradford City last season.
Caldwell said: “We feel we’ve brought good players in that area of the pitch. I think we’ve signed one of the best midfielders in the league last year in Max Power.
“I think, whenever I’ve seen him play in League One, one of the best midfielders in Ryan Trevitt, should he stay fit. Jensen Weir was outstanding from February, so I think we’re very strong in that area of the pitch now in that regard, so it’s probably one that’s gone now.”
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Toby Bryant is a freelance writer who has been writing for The72 since May 2026. Based in London, he graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Combined Honours before coming through the News Associates. Previous work has included The Mirror, Metro, The Irish Times, FourFourTwo and Fantasy Football Scout. To follow Toby's work or for contact, please reach out on X (@toby_bryant_).