FRANK Lampard felt it was the right time for young striker Justin Obikwu to depart Coventry City and take the next step in his career.
The Sky Blues sold Obikwu to Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee earlier this week.
That came after Coventry recalled Obikwu from his loan spell at League One high-flyers Lincoln City in order to facilitate his move to Loftus Road.
Obikwu scored three goals in 21 appearances for Lincoln and also enjoyed two loan spells at Grimsby Town in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.
The 21-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club in 2023 but never made a senior appearance for the Sky Blues.
And while Lampard believes Obikwu has good attributes to lead the line, the Sky Blues boss feels the move makes sense for both the player and the club.
Lampard said: “We think [it was the right timing]. I think it is good business.
“He’s a good lad Justin. He came in to say his goodbyes, he’s a polite boy.
“He’s had a different pathway as a player and he’s got nice attributes as a striker.
“He hasn’t always played on loan at Lincoln this season. He’s dipped his toe in the water with playing.
“We wish him the best. Sometimes it feels like the right time for the player and the club.
“He’s a talented boy and he’s going to the next stage of the career.
“We have to make decisions about what effects us in the short term and a bit longer term.”
Coventry play Obikwu’s new side, QPR, in the Championship at the end of the month.
And Lampard believes Obikwu is free to play against the Sky Blues with no clause inserted into the deal that would prevent the striker from taking part in the fixture.
Lampard added: “I presume [he can play against us].
“I’m not aware of a clause and I think it would have gone through me if there was one.”
