Burton Albion announce signings of Udoka Godwin-Malife and Alex Bannon; Charlie Lakin departs for Walsall

Burton Albion have strengthened their squad by signing Udoka Godwin-Malife and Alex Bannon, while Charlie Lakin has departed for Walsall. 

Udoka Godwin-Malife joins Burton Albion

Udoka Godwin-Malife, 24, has joined Burton Albion on a three-year deal after being named Swindon Town’s Players’ Player of the Season. Godwin-Malife impressed as a centre back, making 43 appearances and earning both the Official Supporters Club Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season awards.

Reflecting on his move, Godwin-Malife said, “When I spoke to the Head Coach it made Burton feel like the right move for me at this stage in my career. He wanted to know about me as both a footballer and as a human being, which was really important to me, as it shows he cares.”

Sporting Director Bendik Hareide praised the new signing, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Udoka Godwin-Malife to Burton Albion. Udoka is an exceptional central defender with impressive abilities both in defence and build-up play. We are confident that his talent and experience will be a great asset to our squad.”

Alex Bannon also signs with Burton Albion

Burton Albion have secured the services of Alex Bannon from Queen’s Park on a four-year deal.

The 20-year-old central defender, who can also play in midfield, has been with Queen’s Park since the age of nine and made 30 appearances in the Scottish Championship last season.

On joining Burton, Bannon expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s a very proud moment for me. Having spoken to the club and the board, it’s a really exciting plan, especially the next step for me in my career. I am ready for this next step.”

Hareide also commented on Bannon's arrival, “We are delighted to welcome Alex Bannon to Burton Albion. He is a young, talented, and modern defender whose skills and abilities will be a great addition to our squad. We are especially pleased to have fought off the interest of clubs in higher leagues to secure his signing.”

Charlie Lakin departs for Walsall

Meanwhile, midfielder Charlie Lakin has left Burton Albion to join Walsall on a two-year contract, effective from July 1st. Lakin, 25, had a successful loan spell at Sutton United in the second half of the 2023/24 season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.

Lakin expressed his delight, saying, “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s been going on for quite a while so I’m happy to get it over the line. I’ve had quite a few loan spells in League Two so I know the league well and having that experience is only going to make me come here, hit the ground running and influence the team as much as possible.”

Head Coach Mat Sadler at Walsall praised Lakin’s acquisition, “He’s a player that I really want to work with, he’s at a good age, he wants to improve and that fits massively into the culture that we want here. He had a really good second half to the season at Sutton, scored a lot of goals and started to fulfil the potential that I’ve seen in him,” said Sadler.