A familiar face to Nigel Clough is Lucas Akins a tough physical athletic footballer that has played over 300 times for Burton Albion. The 32-year-old switching shades of yellow to join up with his old gaffer at Mansfield Town Football Club.<\/p>\n
Akins now 32 years young steps down a league from a side he\u2019s made 22 appearances for this season and can fill a variety of roles including down the flanks or in attack.<\/p>\n
The player has penned a two and a half year deal at Field Mill and has worked under Clough for six years previously, stating upon signing for Mansfield yesterday \u201cI\u2019ve made no secret in the past that I\u2019ve enjoyed my football most under Clough. He\u2019s someone who inspires you. You go away and you really want to work hard for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had real success with him in the past and it\u2019s something that I believe I can achieve again in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nigel Clough himself delighted to capture a player who played in the Championship during Burton\u2019s journey up the divisions stating \u201cWe\u2019re absolutely delighted to welcome Lucas to the club. \u201cHe\u2019s a player who we know very well and has the unique distinction of having played in every position, bar goalkeeper, for us in our time at Burton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clough continued \u201cWe\u2019re sure that he will become a firm fans\u2019 favourite, as he has been at Burton over the years, and will give us an extra dimension in our push for promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Huddersfield born Akins started life at his home town club in League One before moving to first Northwich Victoria on loan, then to Hamilton Academicals in Scotland, where he spent two seasons which included a further loan spell at Partick Thistle.<\/p>\n
Returning to England he played for Tranmere Rovers and Stevenage where he made 77 league appearances at each team in the third tier before joining Burton in 2014 helping the Brewers to a League Two Championship before promotion the season after.<\/p>\n
On signing for Mansfield, Akins excitedly told the club official website \u201cTo have the opportunity to come and represent this club is something that I really want to relish.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve come across a lot of people that have been associated with Mansfield and they have spoken very highly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m incredibly ambitious and my best years are still hopefully ahead of me. That\u2019s what I\u2019ll be trying to prove here.\u201d<\/p>\n
More good news for Stags fans is that John-Joe O\u2019Toole has signed a contract extension that will see him stay at the One Call Stadium until the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n