Charlie Lakin Explained

Charlie Lakin
Fullname:Charlie Lakin[1]
Birth Date:8 May 1999[2]
Birth Place:Solihull, England
Height:1.83m (06feet)[3]
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Walsall
Youthyears1:200?–2008
Youthclubs1:Walsall
Youthyears2:2008–2017
Youthclubs2:Birmingham City
Years1:2017–2021
Clubs1:Birmingham City
Caps1:10
Goals1:0
Years2:2019–2020
Clubs2:Stevenage (loan)
Caps2:20
Goals2:2
Years3:2020–2021
Clubs3:Ross County (loan)
Caps3:19
Goals3:3
Years4:2021–2024
Clubs4:Burton Albion
Caps4:29
Goals4:1
Years5:2023
Clubs5:Doncaster Rovers (loan)
Caps5:10
Goals5:0
Years6:2023–2024
Clubs6:AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Years7:2024
Clubs7:Sutton United (loan)
Caps7:21
Goals7:7
Years8:2024–
Clubs8:Walsall
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Club-Update:09:09, 28 April 2024 (UTC)

Charlie Lakin (born 8 May 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Walsall.

He joined Birmingham City as a nine-year-old, went on to make his senior debut for the club in the 2017–18 FA Cup, and played ten times in the 2018–19 Championship. Despite missing two months with injury, Lakin managed 25 appearances on loan at League Two club Stevenage before the 2019–20 season ended prematurely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the 2020–21 season on loan to Scottish Premiership club Ross County, before leaving Birmingham on a permanent basis for Burton Albion in August 2021. He had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers and AFC Wimbledon in 2023 and Sutton United in 2024.

Club career

Birmingham City

Lakin was born in Solihull where he attended Langley School. He joined Birmingham City's Academy from Walsall's under-nine team, and took up a scholarship with the club in July 2015.[4] [5] In his first season, he featured regularly for Birmingham's under-18 team.[6] Speaking in January 2017, Academy manager Kristjaan Speakman described Lakin as "a left-sided midfielder [who] has played in a more central position for the Under-18s over the course of this season. He has real box-to-box energy. He can be creative with the ball but also really robust defensively."[7] He finished the season with two goals from 13 appearances in the under-23 team, and signed his first professional contract, of one year, at the end of the 2016–17 season.[8] Lakin was a regular in the under-23s in the 2017–18 season, and was one of two players selected to train with UE Cornellà's first team in October 2017 as part of a proposed relationship between Birmingham City and the Spanish Segunda División B (third-tier) club.[9]

His involvement with Birmingham's first team increased, and on 27 January 2018, he was given a squad number and included among the substitutes for the FA Cup fourth-round visit to Premier League club Huddersfield Town.[10] He remained unused as Birmingham drew the match, but made his senior debut in the replay ten days later. Use of a fourth substitute during extra time of an FA Cup tie, trialled in the later rounds of the 2016–17 edition, was permitted from the first round in 2017–18.[11] Lakin became the first Birmingham player to be used under that arrangement when he replaced Jason Lowe after 101 minutes with his team already 3–1 down; the match finished as a 4–1 defeat.[12] According to the Birmingham Mail, on his first involvement in the match, "he gathered possession on the edge of his own area, surged through his half and threaded a superb pass to Jota which set Blues away on the counter", showing the "sort of technical ability which has made him such a big hit in his first full season at Under 23 level."[13] Two weeks later, Lakin signed a new contract to run until 2020, with a further one-year option in the club's favour.[14]

Lakin made his next appearance in the defeat to Reading in the 2018–19 EFL Cup, and his Football League debut in the next match, replacing Gary Gardner towards the end of a goalless draw at home to Swansea City. His first league start came in a goalless draw away to Sheffield United on 19 September, partnering Gardner in central midfield; the Birmingham Mail marked him 7.5 out of 10, and said he "gave his first pass awaybut that was virtually his last mistake. He was as good without the ball as with it and looks to have given [the manager] another option in the middle."[15] He was a regular in the matchday squad until the turn of the year,[16] when a thigh injury kept him out of consideration until March 2019, during which time the appearance-based one-year extension to his contract was ratified.[17]

Stevenage

Having made one EFL Cup appearance for Birmingham in 2019–20, Lakin joined EFL League Two club Stevenage on 22 August 2019 on loan for the rest of the season.[18] He went straight into the starting eleven for the league visit to Mansfield Town two days later, and played the whole 90 minutes as the match ended goalless.[19] A thigh injury suffered during his debut kept him out for two months: he returned to action on 26 October in a 1–0 win at home to fellow strugglers Morecambe.[20] He scored his first senior goal on 18 January 2020 to round off a 4–0 win away to Cambridge United.[21] He had made 25 appearances in all competitions by the time the League Two season was first suspended and then ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]

Ross County

Lakin started in the opening fixture of Birmingham's 2020–21 season, a 1–0 defeat at home to fourth-tier Cambridge United in the EFL Cup.[23] With several midfielders ahead of him in new head coach Aitor Karanka's pecking order, he was not included in the squad for any Championship matches, and on 5 October 2020, he joined Scottish Premiership club Ross County on 5 October 2020 on loan for the season.[24] He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the Scottish League Cup away to Montrose, who had been 3–0 down but had just pegged the score back to 3–2. Montrose scored again to take the tie to penalties; Lakin converted Ross County's fifth penalty but Montrose's fifth player missed his, so Ross County took the bonus point.[25]

Burton Albion

On 31 August 2021, Lakin signed a three-year deal with League One club Burton Albion.[26] He went straight into the starting eleven, and marked his third appearance, away to Crewe Alexandra, by being sent off for a second yellow card.[27] He finished the season with 28 appearances, of which about half were as a starter, but in the first half of the 2022–23 campaign, he played in the cups but only rarely in the league.

In January 2023, he joined Doncaster Rovers of League Two on loan for the rest of the season.[28]

Lakin joined another League Two club, AFC Wimbledon, on 1 September 2023 on loan until January 2024.[29] He made ten appearancessix in the league and four in the EFL Trophybefore returning to his parent club on 4 January 2024.[30]

A week later, he returned to League Two on loan to Sutton United until the end of the season.[31] He was a regular in the starting eleven throughout his loan spell, scored eight goals from 21 league appearances, and, according to the club website, "[played] a huge part in keeping our fight against relegation going to the final week of the season." Despite being with Sutton for only half the season, his performances earned both Club and Players' Player of the Season awards.[32]

Return to Walsall

On 25 June 2025, Lakin agreed to re-join Walsall on a two-year contract, upon expiry of his Burton Albion contract on 1 July.[33]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Birmingham City2017–18Championship00100010
2018–19Championship1000010110
2019–20Championship00001010
2020–21Championship00001010
2021–22Championship00002020
Total1001050160
Stevenage (loan)2019–20League Two2022030252
Ross County (loan)2020–21Scottish Premiership1931041244
Burton Albion2021–22League One2710011282
2022–23League One2010104080
2023–24League One000000
Total291101051362
Doncaster Rovers (loan)2022–23League Two100100
AFC Wimbledon (loan)2023–24League Two600040100
Sutton United (loan)2023–24League Two218218
Career total115145010112114216

Honours

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 16 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170628205116/https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ . 28 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Charlie Lakin . Birmingham City F.C. . 7 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180208004307/https://www.bcfc.com/birmingham-city-u23/players/charlie-lakin/ . 8 February 2018.
  3. Web site: Charlie Lakin: Profile . worldfootball.net . HeimSpiel Medien . 7 October 2022.
  4. Web site: Blues sign-up future prospects . Birmingham City F.C. . 6 July 2015 . 7 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180208011254/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2015/blues-sign-up-future-prospects/ . 8 February 2018.
  5. Web site: List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2015 and 31/07/2015 . PDF . The Football Association . 50 . 7 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170819090424/http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2015.ashx . 19 August 2017.
  6. Web site: Blues Academy end of term report . Birmingham City F.C. . 4 May 2016 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111183924/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/blues-academy-end-of-term-report . 11 January 2024 . live.
  7. Web site: Blues trio offered professional contracts . Birmingham City F.C. . 30 January 2017 . 3 September 2022 . live . https://archive.today/20240111183933/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/blues-trio-offered-professional-contracts . 11 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Lakin making his Bluenose family proud . Birmingham City F.C. . 17 May 2017 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111183823/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/lakin-making-his-bluenose-family-proud . 11 January 2024 . live . I've got really good fitness. I'm energetic all over the pitch, work hard for the team, tackling, passing and try and get goals with every opportunity I have..
  9. Web site: Blues to benefit from Spanish partnership . Birmingham City F.C. . 23 October 2017 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111183940/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/blues-to-benefit-from-spanish-partnership . 11 January 2024 . live.
  10. News: Who are Charlie Lakin and Steve Seddon? A quick guide to the Birmingham City kids on the bench at Huddersfield . Shane . Ireland . Birmingham Mail . 27 January 2018 . 7 February 2018.
  11. Web site: Fourth substitute in extra-time permitted from first round onwards . The Football Association . 13 November 2017 . 7 February 2018.
  12. Web site: Report: Blues 1 Huddersfield Town 4 (aet) . Birmingham City F.C. . 6 February 2018 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111184425/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/report-blues-1-huddersfield-town-4-aet . 11 January 2024 . live.
  13. News: Birmingham City 1 Huddersfield Town 4: Manchester United are off the agenda but David Stockdale, Che Adams and Charlie Lakin are on it . Brian . Dick . Birmingham Mail . 7 February 2018 . 7 February 2018.
  14. Web site: Charlie Lakin rewarded with new deal . Birmingham City F.C. . 21 February 2018 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111184637/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/charlie-lakin-rewarded-with-new-deal . 11 January 2024 . live.
  15. News: Birmingham City player ratings: Michael Morrison stars as Sheffield United frustrate Blues . Brian . Dick . Birmingham Mail . 19 September 2018 . 20 September 2018.
  16. Web site: C. Lakin . Soccerway . Perform Group . 25 March 2019.
  17. Web site: Charlie Lakin pens new Blues deal . Birmingham City F.C. . 21 March 2019 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111184712/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/charlie-lakin-pens-new-blues-deal . 11 January 2024 . live.
  18. Web site: Charlie Lakin loaned to Stevenage . Birmingham City F.C. . 22 August 2019 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111184746/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/charlie-lakin-loaned-to-stevenage . 11 January 2024 . live.
  19. News: League Two: Mansfield 0 Stevenage 0 . The Comet . Stevenage . 24 August 2019 . 28 November 2023 . 23 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201023024103/https://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/mansfield-town-0-stevenage-0-1-6234574 . live.
  20. Web site: Injury blow for Blues loan duo . Birmingham City F.C. . 29 August 2019 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111184909/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/injury-blow-for-blues-loan-duo . 11 January 2024 . live.
    News: Stevenage 1–0 Morecambe: Captain Cuthbert secures vital win as Boro climb off the bottom of League Two . Dan . Mountney . The Comet . Stevenage . 26 October 2019 . 28 November 2023 . 23 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201023031449/https://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/stevenage-1-0-morecambe-captain-cuthbert-secures-vital-win-as-boro-climb-off-the-bottom-of-league-two-1-6343118 . live.
  21. News: Cambridge 0–4 Stevenage: Boro deal out rare thumping at Abbey Stadium . Sky Sports . 18 January 2020 . 19 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200322054504/https://www.skysports.com/football/cambridge-u-vs-stevenage/410777 . 22 March 2020 . live.
  22. News: League Two clubs vote to end season, but League One teams fail to decide . Dan . Roan . Simon . Stone . BBC Sport . 15 May 2020 . 19 May 2020.
  23. News: Birmingham City 0–1 Cambridge United . BBC Sport . 5 September 2020 . 5 September 2020.
  24. News: Ross County take Charlie Lakin on loan from Birmingham City . BBC Sport . 5 October 2020 . 5 October 2020.
  25. News: Montrose 3–3 Ross County . BBC Sport . 7 October 2020 . 7 October 2020.
  26. Web site: Charlie Lakin signs for Burton Albion . Birmingham City F.C. . 31 August 2021 . 3 September 2022 . https://archive.today/20240111185756/https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/charlie-lakin-signs-for-burton-albion-1 . 11 January 2024 . live.
  27. News: Crewe Alexandra 2–0 Burton Albion . BBC Sport . 18 September 2021 . 20 September 2021.
  28. News: Charlie Lakin's first words after joining Doncaster Rovers on loan from Burton Albion . Steve . Jones . Doncaster Free Press . 27 January 2023 . 8 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129144925/https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/charlie-lakins-first-words-after-joining-doncaster-rovers-on-loan-from-burton-albion-4004659 . 29 January 2023 . live.
  29. News: Charlie Lakin: AFC Wimbledon sign Burton Albion midfielder on loan . BBC Sport . 1 September 2023 . 1 September 2023.
  30. Web site: Charlie leaves the Dons . Chris . Thorpe . AFC Wimbledon . 4 January 2024 . 11 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240111185856/https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2024/january/charlie-leaves-the-dons/ . 11 January 2024 . live.
  31. News: Charlie Lakin: Sutton United sign Burton Albion midfielder on loan . BBC Sport . 11 January 2024 . 11 January 2024.
  32. Web site: Player of the Season awards 2023-24 . Sutton United F.C. . 21 April 2024 . 28 April 2024.
  33. Web site: 2024-06-25 . Charlie Lakin: Walsall sign Burton Albion midfielder on two-year deal . 2024-06-26 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  34. News: Player of the Season awards 2023–24 . Sutton United FC . 21 April 2024 . 30 April 2024.