Luton Today

Former Lealands High School pupil comes off the bench for Tottenham

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Highly promising Luton-born teenager Luca Williams-Barnett made debut for Tottenham Hotspur last night as he became the 900th player to represent the Premier League club when coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup 3-0 third round win over Doncaster Rovers.

The 16-year-old, who went to Lealands High School in Sundon Park Road, moved to north London as an U10, having previously been with the Hatters’ youth age-groups. He has constantly caught the eye since joining Spurs though, playing for the U18s at the age of 15 in the 2023-24 campaign, winning the U18 Premier League Goal of the Season for a superb strike against Leicester City, also netting a hat-trick in the U17 Premier League Cup Final success against Charlton Athletic.

Having played for England at U15, U16 and U17 levels to date, Williams-Barnett was named on the bench for Tottenham on four occasions last term, three in the UEFA Europa League and once in the Premier League, and after scoring six goals and getting four assists in the U21s this season, was then introduced in the latter stages of yesterday’s triumph over Luton’s opponents in League One this weekend.

After having the final six minutes plus stoppage time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then on his debut, boss Thomas Frank told the Evening Standard: “I think it's always a pleasure to be part of a young player's debut. So, yeah, happy with that. I think that definitely over the last many years the focus on the talent development and academies across the world is so big.

"So the talent pool is bigger. There are these talents coming through that are younger and younger. But one thing is the debut when you're 16. The next step, and much more important, is how Luca or other players take those steps forward. It's very tough to keep going and then get into the first team as a really regular player. But the first step is very important. I'm well aware of Luca's talent and I like what I see. He's young, obviously, but his composure and technique and vision is very good.”

Meanwhile, U18s boss Stuart Lewis has already made some lofty comparisons about Williams-Barnett and some Spurs player of the last, adding: “He loves football. He's such an exciting, creative player. I spoke in the week about Tottenham players and having that creativity and that go-for-it mindset. We've loved (David) Ginola over the years, we've loved (Dimitar) Berbatov, those players. Luca's still got a lot of work to do. He's an Under-16 player but throughout the season there's been some unbelievable moments."

Young stopper gets his first run-out at Kenilworth Road

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Luton manager Matt Bloomfield felt new signing Josh Keeley showed glimpses of just why the Hatters invested in his long-term future during an instant reunion against his former side Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The 22-year-old had moved to north London in 2022 from St Patrick’s Athletic, spending three years with the club, although he never made a first team appearance, with loan spells at National League side Barnet and then League One Leyton Orient last term, excelling at Brisbane Road. Luton made their move earlier this month though, shelling out an undisclosed fee for Keeley’s services, as he had a first run-out in the 2-0 victory at Southend United, before being named between the posts once more when Spurs headed to Kenilworth Road at the weekend.

Although he didn’t have much to do in terms of saves during his 86 minutes before being replaced by James Shea the most noticeable thing was the way in which the Irish U21 international was more than happy to come out of his area with the ball at his feet, pinging a number of terrific passes out to Jordan Clark on the left, also picking out the rampaging Milli Alli as well.

It clearly impressed those watching on in the stands, as the keeper was picked by the sponsors as their star man, and asked for his thoughts on Keeley’s showing, Bloomfield said: “That must have been why got man of the match, because of his distribution. Josh is really young in goalkeeping terms, a loan at Barnet, a loan at Orient last year he did particularly well, and again we wouldn’t have brought him here if we didn’t have high hopes for him for the long term.

“We made it a permanent transfer because we believe he can be here for a number of years, but it’s also just incredible to have Sheasy as his back-up, or competition as well, as Sheasy’s done great in pre-season and together with Pilks (Kevin Pilkington, goalkeeper coach) they’ll educate Josh the way he needs. I thought with his feet he was excellent, he didn’t have loads to do with his hands, but we were really pleased to get him.”

Discussing his ability to knock the ball out to either flank with what appears to be an unerring accuracy, something which drew some audible praise from the home supporters inside the ground, Bloomfield continued: “We’re going to come up against so many defensive structures and formations this season.

"As we saw with Spurs, it’s very well known how high their defensive line is because of the athleticism they have at the back, so it enabled him to go in behind a little bit more, back to front a little bit more than maybe we would like to do all of the time.

"But we have to know the cues or understand the cues of what our opposition presents and if they’re playing a line like Tottenham did then we have to try and get in behind them and having someone with his distribution on the ball at the back certainly helps.”

Meanwhile, centre half Kal Naismith is clearly an instant fan too, particularly with just how at home the new boy is looking, as he added: “He’s been here a week so it’s going to take time to settle, but it seems like he’s settled so fast. He’s still young and we need to know he’s a huge talent. You see him with the ball at his feet and he’s incredible in terms of distribution and starting attacks which is amazing for us.

"He’s very, very calming which is what I like in a goalkeeper. I’m sort of the erratic one who shouts a lot and he’s just that calming presence, so him coming in, he’s been really good.. He’s got someone to learn from like James Shea who’s going to be a mentor for him and bring him forwards. So take it easy on him at the start but he’s only going to go strength to strength and he’ll be a great signing for the club.”

Naismith was happy with Town’s efforts against Europa League winners

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New Town skipper Kal Naismith felt Luton's Premier League opponents Tottenham Hotspur ‘never enjoyed’ their pre-season trip to Kenilworth Road yesterday.

With the visitors having only recently returned to training following a gruelling top flight campaign that saw then crowned Europa League winners when beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final, and Luton coming to the end of their pre-season schedule, now preparing for a League One opener against AFC Wimbledon on Friday night, there was little to choose between the teams during the 90 minutes that ultimately ended up goalless.

Spurs new-boy Mohammed Kudus had the best opportunity for Thomas Frank’s side that also contained Brennan Johnson along with summer additions Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel, seeing his attempt cleared away by the covering Christ Makosso, before the visitors were indebted to substitute keeper Antonin Kinsky who denied Nahki Wells and Milli Alli early in the second period, Wells also hammering another inviting chance over.

Speaking after the contest about how he felt the Hatters had got on when facing a side laced with full internationals, Naismith said: “The principles, the mindset the gaffer’s been trying to instil about being together and hard to beat, all the principles you need to be a good side, it felt like we were so together out there. Everybody knew their jobs and their roles against an unbelievable side, so, so many positives to take from it.

“Of course they’re at a different stage of their pre-season, we’ve been doing it a bit longer so fitness levels etcetera, but they’re an incredibly strong side, They’ve won a big, major European trophy, have some of the best players in their Premier League in their starting eleven, so if you asked them, they would say they never enjoyed the game, I don’t think so anyway. It never never looked like they enjoyed it and it certainly looked like we enjoyed it, on the front foot, pressing, getting after them, it was a good game.”

In the eyes of new signing Wells, who was having his first outing at Kenilworth Road since arriving on a free transfer from Bristol City in the summer, reuniting with Naismith whom he shared a dressing room with at Ashton Gate, he felt Town could take plenty of confidence from the fixture, doing enough in his eyes to gain a morale-boosting victory, as speaking to the club’s official website, he added: “It was obviously a tough game because they are very good opposition.

"I think it gives us real belief that we have played against a really good side and been able to deal with their threats. I know they are probably a bit premature in their pre-season and we are closer to the end, but we ran a really good side close and truthfully, probably should have won it. It gives us a different variation.

"We’ve played against sides where we’ve probably been in more control and now we’ve had that opportunity to be out of possession a bit more and have to be a bit more structured and resilient and backs against the wall at times. I think we dealt with, soaked up a lot of that pressure and then we used it to try and go and hurt them. We had some good moments out there and apart from winning the game, it’s a good way to end pre-season going into next Friday.”

Town look good when facing Premier League opposition at Kenilworth Road

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Luton boss Matt Bloomfield was enthused by the ‘maturity’ that was on display from his side as they finished their pre-season campaign by holding Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur to a goalless draw at Kenilworth Road yesterday.

Having come into the game on the back of five straight victories since returning this summer, scoring 18 goals in the process and conceding just two, the Hatters had their sternest test so far, with visiting boss Thomas Frank naming a full strength starting XI, including £55m summer signing from West Ham United, forward Mohammed Kudus, plus the likes of Brennan Johnson, Archie Gray and Micky van de Ven.

Although Kudus went closest in the first half, his shot beating new Town addition Josh Keeley but cleared away by Christ Makosso, following that, it was Luton who looked the more likely to score, Nahki Wells denied by a smart save from Antonin Kinsky, who also denied Milli Alli, Wells then firing another good opportunity over the bar.

With a flurry of changes disrupting the closing stages, it meant that neither side were able break the deadlock, but with Luton just five days away from beginning their League One season, Bloomfield said: “It was a really different test to some of the other ones we’ve had and I knew it was going to be a real technical, tactical battle. We had to be prepared for that, we’ve not had a huge amount of time to prepare on the training ground because of the busy week but I just thought we showed a really good level of maturity.

"The communication and the voices that you hear now, with the seniors that we have, I think is fantastic. Them marshalling and moving people around, Kal (Naismith), Sav (George Saville), Nahki (Wells), straight through the spine of the team, so I think it was some really good moments from us. We knew League Two and the Premier League were the two leagues we had to target to get the games in to organise.

"I felt like Gillingham and Southend would give us that really up and at them type of physical contest that we needed, but Spurs would give us a real tactical battle that we’re going to come up against this season as well. Hopefully we’ve had enough blend, as you never know until you get into the league season. You do as best as you can to prepare as properly as possible, but I think we’ve had loads of different challenges in pre-season and we’re content with the way the group has got through it.”

The only slight negative on the day for Bloomfield was that Town weren’t able to find the net and give the majority of the 10,000 in attendance something substantial to cheer, as he added: “I thought we were slightly wasteful at the top of the pitch, at times we rushed that last part. We want to be slightly more patient if we can and keep teams penned in, but obviously we’re up against top opposition.

"We limited Tottenham to very little I felt and tactically I thought we were really solid. Distances front to back I thought were very good which is really important for the way we want to defend and we had some good moments as well. It’s a shame we couldn't get a goal and give everyone something to cheer, but it was a really good performance and I think there were some nice smiles from some supporters at the end and that’s what we want.”

Wingback’s future at Kenilworth is uncertain

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Luton boss Matt Bloomfield revealed that wingback Alfie Doughty missed this afternoon’s pre-season goalless draw with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur due to the transfer speculation surrounding his future at Kenilworth Road.

The 25-year-old, who has played 105 times for Town since arriving in June 2022, also signing a new long-term contract in September 2024, had been down to start for the Hatters when the teamsheets were announced. However, it was then announced that he wouldn’t be taking his place in the XI, summer signing Nigel Lonwijk a late replacement, Doughty not on the bench either.

Rumours immediately followed on social media that his absence was down to a bid being received for his services, and asked if that was the reason that he hadn’t featured, Bloomfield said: “Listen, Alfie has had interest all through the summer because he’s a player who played at a very good level. In the Premier League he had a very good season and last year he showed some real top moments, so he has had some interest Alfie and I’m sure that will go on for the rest of the window.

"It was the right decision I made before the game, post teamsheets, was that he wouldn’t play, so that was the way the game went. There’s a lot going on in pre-season. It was the right decision for Alfie not to play but I’m sure he’ll be absolutely fine and we’ll welcome him back into the group as soon as we can, but he’ll be fine.”

Questioned on whether he had kept Doughty in the loop about the interest from elsewhere, Bloomfield continued: “Rightly or wrongly I'm very open with the players, what’s going on with their futures, that’s the way I’ve always been and it’s the way I always will be. I think that there needs to be an open dialogue, discussion, respect comes from both parties. As long as that remains, then I’m fine with it all. There’s obviously going to be speculation over our players and Alfie’s one of them, so we have open dialogue. I like Alf a lot, he’s a good guy and we’ll retain that respect and see what happens.”

On whether he hopes that Doughty will remain at Kenilworth Road, then discussing the former Charlton youngster, who has only featured 13 times since Bloomfield took over in January, also seeing his season ended prematurely by a hamstring injury picked up in the 1-1 draw at Stoke City, the boss added: “Of course, Alfie’s been a top player for our football club. Unfortunately I feel really disappointed that he’s had a couple of injuries since I’ve been here and I don’t think we’ve had him in his full pomp yet.

"When we got here he was coming back from one injury and then he suffered another one. He’s still missed the first two weeks of pre-season so he’s still not up to speed properly. I feel very disappointed that we’ve not had Alfie in his full pomp yet. He’s been a massive player for our football club, but we also know that someone of his calibre is going to be wanted elsewhere, so that’s football management and it’s part of the fun.”

Pre-season friendly: Luton Town 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

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Luton finished their pre-season campaign in unbeaten fashion after a goalless draw against Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The Hatters had managed to pick up five wins from five ahead of the contest, easily the most difficult for Matt Bloomfield’s side, but they gave an impressive account of themselves, and but for two smart saves from visiting keeper Antonin Kinsky early in the second half, might have claimed a further morale-boosting victory.

Although Spurs had already played a first team XI against Wycombe Wanderers earlier in the day, new manager Thomas Frank still named a strong side for the contest, with £55m addition Mohammed Kudus starting, as did Brennan Johnson, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence and Archie Gray. The Hatters were forced into a change before kick-off when Alfie Doughty, originally named in the starting line-up, was withdrawn, summer signing Nigel Lonwijk taking his place, as former Tottenham youngster Josh Keeley began in goal, with Mads Andersen having recovered from an eye issue to start.

Tottenham had a real chance to move ahead on 10 minutes, Kudus, a big money addition from West Ham, got the better of Kal Naismith on the right and advanced goalwards, his angled attempt repelled by the trailing leg of a covering Christ Makosso by the line, Town’s defence then completing the clearance. With a quarter of an hour gone, Luton had a good spell of attacking themselves, Nahki Wells' free kick hammering into the wall and after Alli won a corner, the ball was collected by Naismith, his curling attempt dropping harmlessly wide.

The Hatters acquitted themselves well and as the half wore on looked the more likely to score, Keeley showing his distribution was a huge reason why Bloomfield has opted to make him number one this term, spraying the ball with real precision to either flank, George Saville then winning a free kick in a dangerous position that Alli opted to take, only to probably do himself out of any more set-pieces, thundering way, way, way over the bar.

The attacker, who demonstrated just how important he will be to what surely has to be an anticipated promotion push this term, had a crack from closer in, but with the angle against him, saw Vicario deflect away, as a corner was met by Makosso, who under pressure, sent his header over. After the break, Town started positively, January signing Alli, who made such an impression during the Championship run-in, in particular.

A lovely team move saw Town slice through their opponents’ midfield, as the forward sent over a deep cross that was met on the volley by Wells, half time sub Kinsky making a smart parry. Alli then tested the replacement stopper moments later, as he got the better of Djed Spence, Kinsky able to produce a rather ungainly block with his legs.

With an hour gone, Luton made two changes, Liam Walsh and Zack Nelson replacing Lonwijk, who did well in his left wingback role, and Shandon Baptiste, as Walsh sent a free kick into the wall. The pair were soon joined by Cauley Woodrow, West Ham loanee Gideon Kodua, Lasse Nordas and Tom Holmes, getting his first run-out, as Wells, Jordan Clark, Naismith and Reuell Walters, another who did his chances of earning a starting berth no harm at all, were replaced.

During the closing stages, Spurs changed almost their entire outfield XI with 13 to go, introducing all of their youngsters which meant they ended the match with the likes of Yang Min-Hyeok, Rio Kyerematen, Alfie Devine and Reiss Russell-Denny on the pitch, although they did almost broke the deadlock only for the smart reactions of Keeley.

Town responded too with five minutes left, Josh Phillips, Jake Richards and Jayden Luker introduced, experienced keeper James Shea also coming on for Keeley as well in the closing stages, but the alterations halted the flow of the game, which ended up goalless. Importantly for Luton, they came through the match unscathed, as they know full well the important stuff starts on Friday night, when they host AFC Wimbledon in their League One season opener.

Hatters: Josh Keeley (James Shea 86), Reuell Walters (Gideon Kodua 71), Kal Naismith (C, Tom Holmes 71), Mads Andersen (Jake Richards 86), Milli Alli (Jayden Luker 86), Nigel Lonwijk (Zack Nelson 61), Jordan Clark (Cauley Woodrow 71), Nahki Wells (Lasse Nordas 71), George Saville (Josh Phillips 86), Shandon Baptiste (Liam Walsh 61), Christ Makosso. Sub not used: Mark McGuinness.

Irish U21 international discusses his switch to Kenilworth Road

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New Luton signing Josh Keeley revealed that a glowing recommendation from former Town stopper Dean Brill was a huge reason as to why he agreed to leave Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and sign for the Hatters yesterday.

After coming through the ranks at League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic, Keeley then moved to north London in July 2022 at the age of 19, where he worked with Brill who was then a goalkeeping coach at Spurs’ academy, soon becoming head of academy goalkeeping. Keeley initially played for the club’s Premier League 2 side, before a loan stint at National League outfit Barnet, then excelling during his season-long stint with Leyton Orient last term.

His time with the O’s alerted the attentions of the Hatters and once Belgian international Thomas Kaminski agreed to move to newly-promoted Championship side Charlton Athletic earlier this month, and Jack Walton also likely to leave, it meant Town were in the hunt for a new number one, which they now have with the addition of Keeley.

It was a big call for the 22-year-old to move away from Spurs on a permanent basis, even if he hadn’t made a first team appearance during his three years with the club, but some words from Brill, who played 109 times for the Hatters over two spells in Bedfordshire, himself a product of the Town academy, also in goal when Luton won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy back in 2009, played a big part in his decision.

Speaking to the Hatters’ official website, Keeley said: “I'm absolutely delighted, it happened quite quickly as well to be fair, but now that's over the line I'm more than grateful to be here, given it’s such a massive club with such a big history. I’ve also had some coaches who have been here over the years and them just telling me how big and great the club is, it just turned my head completely and I was more than happy to sign. Dean Brill, my goalie coach, he persuaded me to come. He told me that he's got a statue!

"It was easy and it wasn’t. I went there when I was 19-years-old. It was my first kind of taste of moving abroad and getting away from my family. I grew very close to a lot of the players and a lot of the staff there. They took me in, I was a young boy coming over to a new country. They took me under their wing, I learned so, so much and I'll be forever grateful for them. But there always comes a time in your career when you’ve got to move on and I felt now was the time and it’s now time to kick on.“

Meanwhile, also getting to work with former Manchester United, Celtic and Mansfield stopper Kevin Pilkington, who is goalkeeping coach at Kenilworth Road, was something that the Irish U21 international wanted to do as well, as he added: “I’ve spoken to him for the last two days now. Dean Brill knows him quite well, he’s a man with a big career behind him and it’s going to be great to learn from him. I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait. I’ve heard a lot of good things and I'm just buzzing to get to know everyone and get to play.”

Highly-rated shot-stopper reportedly heading to Kenilworth Road

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Luton Town are closing in on a deal to sign promising Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Josh Keeley according to a number of media outlets.

The 22-year-old started his career with League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic, coming through the Saints’ academy to turn professional in January 2021. He made four appearances during his time at Richmond Park, with his league debut coming in a 2-2 draw with Finn Harps, also featuring in the FAI Cup and two UEFA Youth League fixtures as well.

Keeley caught the eye of Spurs and moved to north London in July 2022 for an undisclosed fee, going on to play 25 times in the Premier League 2 across two seasons, also featuring in five EFL Trophy matches as well. He was loaned to National League side Barnet in January 2024, making his senior debut in a 3-2 defeat at Altrincham, playing 18 times with the Bees reaching the play-offs, beaten by Solihull Moors, conceding just 25 goals and keeping three clean sheets.

The young stopper, who has represented Ireland at U19 and U21 level, winning 10 caps for the latter, then went out on loan again last term, joining League One outfit Leyton Orient and instantly became the O’s number one, playing 36 times in the league, with 16 clean sheets, beaten just 34 times as the east London side made the play-offs.

Keeley then started all three games as Orient got to Wembley, only to lose 1-0 to Charlton Athletic in the final, the Addicks managed by former Town chief Nathan Jones. He made 42 appearances in total, also scoring his first goal when finding the net against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup, going on to set a club record of seven successive clean sheets in all competitions, as he was named Leyton Orient Supporters' Club Young Player of the Year, Leyton Orient Supporters' Club Merit Award and Goal of the Season winner at the club's end of season awards night.

In the O’s FA Cup run, Keeley was the hero as his side earned a penalty shoot-out victory over Derby County and then received praise from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for his efforts in their fourth round tie where Orient took a shock lead only to end up losing 2-1 as the multiple Premier League winner said: “We were lucky at the end because they had chances, but we created a lot, their keeper was really, really good and it was a tight game."

However, it is now being reported by the Evening Standard that Keeley will leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium though after failing to agree a new contract with the club. His expected arrival will bolster the competition at Kenilworth Road, with Town, who sold Thomas Kaminski to Charlton Athletic recently, having Jack Walton and James Shea currently battling it out for the number one jersey.

Former goalkeeper played in Luton’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final victory

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Former Luton goalkeeper Dean Brill has been handed a new role at Tottenham Hotspur under recently appointed manager Thomas Frank.

The 39-year-old came through the ranks with Town, playing 97 times for the Hatters where he was part of the squad who gained promotion from League One to the Championship, also between the posts as his boyhood club won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy back in April 2009, beating Scunthorpe United 3-2 at Wembley Stadium.

He left that summer though for Oldham Athletic and then had a spell at Barnet, returning to Kenilworth Road in August 2012 as he passed a century of appearances when taking the field in the 1-0 defeat to Hereford United, going on to play eight times that season, leaving again in July 2013 as he joined Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan, then heading north of the border permanently a year later.

Brill also had stints at Motherwell and Colchester, moving to Leyton Orient in July 2017 as he spent almost three years in east London, enjoying another promotion back to to the Football League, also reaching 400 senior appearances as well. While at the O’s Brill took his first step into coaching, appointed goalkeeping coach and was then named first team coach in January 2020, becoming head of goalkeeping six months later.

He left in June 2021 to become an academy goalkeeping coach with Spurs, named head of academy goalkeeping in July 2022, but with Frank leaving Brentford to replace Ange Postecoglou in the dug-out last month, despite the Australian winning the Europa League last term, then Brill has been handed a new role with the first team under the Dane.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “Following the recent appointment of Thomas Frank as our new Head Coach, we can now confirm the full composition of our men’s first team coaching staff ahead of the new season. We’re pleased to announce that Stuart Lewis and Dean Brill have been promoted into new roles from our Academy. Dean becomes First Team Assistant Goalkeeping Coach, having previously worked as Head of Academy Goalkeeping.”

Midfielder has a new club after leaving Kenilworth Road

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Former Luton youngster Axel Piesold has signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Galway United.

After a spell at Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, the 20-year-old headed to Kenilworth Road following a brief stint at Dunstable Town back in January 2023, as he was on the bench for the FA Cup clash with Grimsby Town the following month. Piesold was also named in Town’s match-day squad on nine occasions the Hatters were in the Premier League, including against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Last term, Piesold spent the entire campaign on loan at Northern Irish Premiership side Cliftonville, playing 35 times in all competitions and scoring twice, as the Reds qualified for the Europa Conference League preliminary rounds and also won the BetMcLean Cup after beating Glentoran after extra time at Windsor Park.

Having been released in the summer, the midfielder has now agreed to move to Eamonn Deacy Park, making his debut as a second half substitute in Friday night’s 1-0 defeat at Drogheda. Speaking to the club’s official website, said: “I’m glad to get it over the line and really excited to get started. After speaking with the manager and how he sees me fitting in, and seeing how the club’s gone over the last 18 months or so, it was a club that I wanted to join and be a part of. At Spurs, going up through the age groups, it helped me technically progress.

"At Luton it was obviously great training with the first team and getting that experience. I feel really lucky to have done that and it’s something I’ll remember for a long time. Just being in and around it was great and I guess gave a bit more of an insight into what it’s like. Coming to Cliftonville on loan was really good for me because it gave me men’s games and introduced me to what men’s football was really like. I think that was really useful before coming here.”