Lucas Akins

Lucas Akins was born in Huddersfield and started out at Huddersfield Town's academy before a loan at Northwich Victoria preceded his release in June 2008. Spells at Hamilton Academical, with a loan back to Partick Thistle, then Tranmere Rovers and Stevenage followed, but it was at Burton Albion, whom he joined on a free transfer in June 2014, that he built his career. He left as the club's all-time record appearance-maker in the English Football League with 307 games and its all-time record goalscorer with 65 league goals, 71 in all competitions, and was named Burton Albion Player of the Year in both 2018 and 2019. He was the club's top scorer with nine goals as Burton won the EFL League Two title in 2014–15, then added 12 more in League One the following season as the club reached the Championship for the first time. Akins joined Mansfield Town on a free transfer in January 2022 and has since made over 190 appearances across all competitions, scoring 38 goals. He played a central role in Mansfield's 2023–24 League Two campaign, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances as the Stags finished third and won automatic promotion to League One. He wears the number 7 shirt and has been used across almost every outfield position at the club, from winger to striker to wing-back. Though born in England, Akins represents Grenada at international level, making his debut in June 2024 against Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifying. He has since won 10 caps and scored twice, including a goal against St Martin in the CONCACAF Nations League.