CHRIS Maguire revealed his success with Michael Appleton at Oxford United was a key reason for his move to Lincoln City.

The forward joined The Imps yesterday after Sky Bet League One side rivals Sunderland opted against offering him a new contract.

It sees Maguire, 32, link back up with Appleton following the pair's successful season-and-a-half at United.

The Scot was brought in on loan in November 2015 and signed permanently two months later, before both him and Appleton left the U's in summer 2017.

In little more than 18 months they helped United achieve promotion from Sky Bet League Two, beat several higher-division clubs in the Emirates FA Cup and reach successive EFL Trophy finals.

Maguire was top-scorer with 17 goals in 2016/17 and found the net 22 times in 79 games overall.

He has now been reunited with Appleton four years later and believes it is the right fit.

Maguire said: "They were probably the best footballing team in the division and obviously the relationship I have with the manager was a big factor in coming here - the length of the contract I was getting offered.

"After speaking with him everything just fell in place and I'm looking forward to working with him again.

"He knows how to get the best out of players and treats everyone with respect which in football is important. It goes a long way.

"If you've got a manager that shows respect and puts trust in players then players are going to give that back and for me he's been great over my career.

 

"He's managed to get the best out of me and hopefully I can do that here as well."

Lincoln beat Sunderland in last season's League One play-off semi-finals, before losing to Blackpool at Wembley.