Burton Albion have loaned out central midfielder Charlie Lakin to League Two strugglers Sutton United for the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old becomes the first signing for the U’s under their new manager Steve Morison, who arrived at Gander Green Lane from Hornchurch FC last week. It is Lakin’s second loan of the campaign, playing for local rivals AFC Wimbledon up until the new year. Last season also saw him appear for Doncaster Rovers.
A Birmingham City academy graduate, he has struggled for minutes across his many clubs, only making 10 appearances each for Rovers and Wimbledon.
He arrived at the Pirelli Stadium in August 2021, having left the Blues following loans to Stevenage and Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. Lakin has made a total of 36 appearances for the Brewers.
The club announced his arrival, in which he will wear the number 31 shirt, alongside the departure of Dominic Gape following the expiry of his short-term contract. The ex-Wycombe Wanderers man joined Sutton United in October, only making seven appearances.
The South London club are in the midst of a relegation battle this season and are currently sat at the foot of the table. Similarly, they are 22nd in the form table, only beating the two teams directly above them, Salford City and Forest Green Rovers.
Writer’s View
Lakin seems to be really struggling in his career at the moment, so maybe a move to a lower-placed club in search of valuable minutes seems like a smart decision for Burton. The midfielder is still in an early stage of his career and perhaps a relegation fight could be a character-building experience to benefit him down the line. Dominic Gape, despite his higher-division experience, did not get many chances to impress at Sutton. Lakin needs to prove to new boss Steve Morison he can provide something special to earn his spot in the squad.
The Yellows still need to make more signings before the window closes at the end of the month. They have conceded the joint-second most goals in the league, are 22nd in home form and bottom on away form. A few defensive reinforcements look necessary to stop rollovers like the 8-0 pummeling they received at the hands of Stockport County. Perhaps another forward option could be brought in, with Harry Smith leading the scoring charts with just seven.
