‘Never thought I’d pull on the Luton shirt’ - Andros Townsend signs short-term contract with Hatters as free agent

Luton Town have completed the signing of free agent Andros Townsend on a short-term contract.

Townsend joins the Hatters after leaving Everton at the end of the 2022/23 campaign and has signed a contract until January.

The 32-year-old’s arrival is Luton’s 13th signing since their promotion from the Championship, following the likes of Ross Barkley, Tim Krul and Albert Sambi Lokonga through the door at Kenilworth Road.

On his arrival, Townsend admitted he could never have imagined himself pulling on the orange colours of Luton.

“I feel like it’s a good fit and these last couple of weeks have been good for both parties. I think it had to be right and I feel over the last two weeks we’ve had a look at each other and done that,” he told the club website.

“I’ve seen where I can help this team and on the flipside, the manager has seen where I can help – whether that’s on the pitch, in the dressing room or on the training field – with my enthusiasm and experience.

“Plus, Luton are my local team – I live 20-25 minutes away so I’ve kept my eye on their progress and watching the Championship play-off final and see them win promotion was great for the club.

“I never thought I’d pull on the Luton shirt, so it’s a huge honour to play again in the Premier League for this club, and hopefully get help this club get as many points as we can and see where it takes us.”

Townsend was close to joining fellow Premier League newcomers Burnley in the summer, but the club apparently walked away from a potential deal as they did not want to block the pathway for younger players.

He has 264 Premier League appearances in a career spanning 14 years.

After coming through the academy ranks at Tottenham, he went on to represent the club at first-team level before spells with Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Everton.

He has also represented England 13 times, and Luton manager Rob Edwards has expressed his delight at having the experienced player on board.

“Andros has undoubted Premier League quality, which he has shown in this league and on the international stage,” he said. “Of course, he has had a difficult period with injury through no fault of his own.

“However, we’re in a position to help each other: he can come in and give everything, bring out those technical qualities to help us and we can give him a platform to show everyone what he’s all about. Young players are going to look up to him and think ‘they are the standards I need to be at’.

“On the playing side, we want him to affect what we’re doing but we’re not going to put pressure on him. We won’t ask for too much too soon. He’s fit, naturally fit. But then there’s being Premier League fit and being able to come on and affect games. So the next step will be a plan for that.

“But we’re delighted to have him. We hope he can make a positive impact – and we don’t see why he won’t.”

Luton are currently 17th in the league table after eight games, with their only win so far coming at Goodison Park against Everton.

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