'It was the right time' – Midfielder opens up on decision to leave Birmingham City in 2021
Today at 06:39 AM
Birmingham City academy graduate Charlie Lakin has reflected on his decision to leave his boyhood club in the summer of 2021.
Birmingham City have seen a host of players go on to forge senior careers after coming through their academy, and midfielder Charlie Lakin is among them.
The Solihull-born ace is a born and raised Blues fan and after making his way through the youth ranks, he went on to represent the club 16 times on the senior stage. Lakin enjoyed a run in the side in late 2018 but in the two campaigns after, he left on loan to find minutes with Stevenage and Ross County.
When the summer of 2021 came, the decision was made for Lakin to head out permanently. He would join Burton Albion, who he left ahead of the 2024/25 campaign after three years.
He’s now with Walsall in League Two and has locked down a starting spot with Mat Sadler’s high-flying Saddlers. However, Lakin has reflected on the past while speaking with the Express and Star, discussing the tough call to move on from boyhood club Birmingham City three years ago.
The 25-year-old admitted it was a difficult decision, but one that came at the right time for his career.
“It is hard. Being there for so long and being under contract there as well was hard,” Lakin said.
“But after previous seasons of being on loan and playing games, I just thought it was the right time in my career to push on and play as many games as possible.
“But it’s difficult especially being a fan and being there so long. You know everyone around the place and to go and start afresh at a new club where you don’t really know anyone is tough but it’s something I felt I needed at that time of my career.”
The post ‘It was the right time’ – Midfielder opens up on decision to leave Birmingham City in 2021 appeared first on The72 - Football League News.
