John Akinde has future Ironed out after Braintree Town move

BRAINS ‘N’ BRAWN: John Akinde has joined Braintree Town after leaving Colchester United and, Inset, boss Angelo Harrop

PICTURE: Alamy

Newly-promoted Braintree Town have made another huge statement of intent by capturing National League Golden Boot winner John Akinde.

The Iron have won the race to sign the 35-year-old following his release by Colchester at the end of last season.

A proven scorer at National League level, Akinde scored 31 goals to help Barnet become champions in 2014-15. Overall, he scored 87 league goals in 166 appearances for the Bees.

He then spent two years at both Lincoln City and Gillingham in the EFL before joining Colchester United in January 2022.

Speaking on social media, Iron boss Angelo Harrop said: “(I’m) over the moon to bring John to Braintree. A player who will not only bring quality and a great deal of experience but will also play a huge part in developing our younger players too. Signing this kind of player speaks volumes on how far we have come as a club.”

Akinde, who has made more than 600 career appearances to date, links up with former Colchester teammates Ryan Clampin, Chay Cooper and Marley Marshall Miranda at the Iron and forms a powerful strike partnership with fellow new signing Inih Effiong.

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