Boro’ snapped up powerful wide man Lucas Akins in summer 2012 after agreeing an undisclosed fee with former club Tranmere Rovers. He’d long been admired by Gary Smith; the manager no doubt delighted to secure Akins’ services and strengthen the squad further ahead of the 2012-3 season. Rovers didn’t want to let him go at the time; activating a contract extension that Akins turned down. While the Wirral club did play hardball, we eventually got our man.
Lucas Akins: Before Boro’
Akins started his career at Huddersfield Town; promoted to the senior team in April 2007, before signing a one-year deal the next month. First team opportunities were restricted to just a handful of appearances, however. There was also a loan spell at Northwich Victoria. In 2008, the player moved north of the border to Hamilton Academical, then of the Scottish Premier League. One more, however, first team chances were at a premium. As such, he moved on loan to Partick Thistle before Hamilton released him in summer 2010.
Returning to the English leagues, Akins signed for Tranmere and developed into a strong, pacy asset. During his two-year stay with the club, he made around 80 appearances and found the goal on a handful of occasions. It was his performances at Prenton Park which caught the eye of Smith.
