Andros Townsend reveals what made him become Luton Town’s newest signing, with the club confirming his arrival on Wednesday.
Last week, it first emerged that the Hatters were reportedly prepared to hand Townsend another chance at top-flight football, having been on trial at the Kenilworth Road outfit.
The 32-year-old had been a free agent at the moment after leaving Everton in the summer at the expiration of his contract.
Townsend’s time was cut short after he picked up a serious ACL injury in March 2022 and didn’t make anymore appearances for them again, and hasn’t kicked a ball for the entirety of 2022-23.
Welcome @andros_townsend! ✍️
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) October 11, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT
Manager Rob Edwards has completed the signing of England international winger Andros Townsend on a short-term contract until January.
The 32-year-old brings the experience of 264 appearances in the Premier League to Kenilworth Road to add to the 13 caps the attacker won for his country.
Having graduated from the Tottenham Hotspur academy he went onto make almost a century of appearances for Spurs before spells with Newcastle, Crystal Palace and, most recently Everton.
Townsend, who will wear squad number 30 for the Hatters, said: “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.
“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.”
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On his newest recruit, Edwards said: “Andros has undoubted Premier League quality, which he has shown in this league and on the international stage. Of course, he has had a difficult period with injury through no fault of his own – and we wouldn’t be able to sign him if he’d had played in the last 18 months.
“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.
“He adds more competition at the top end of the pitch – an area we know at this level you need to come out on top in that battle. He’s also got that bit of magic and hopefully we can get the most out of him.
“He’s been brilliant and his attitude has been phenomenal. He’s a humble, hard-working individual that we will benefit from having at the training ground on a weekly basis. Young players are going to look up to him and think ‘they are the standards I need to be at’. He’s been impeccable.
“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.”
Welcome to Kenilworth Road, Andros!
This is how fans reacted as Andros Townsend reveals what made him become Luton Town’s newest signing…
@uptheluton: Warra signing
@harry_s72: If he can strike a ball I’m all for it
@King_Haughton: Happy with this one, undoubtedly talented and has experience in the premier league which will only help the younger lads of the squad. With a bit of luck it works out and maybe extend it if all parties are happy
Best of luck Andros, the scorer of one of the best goals I have ever or will ever see from a Crystal Palace player. pic.twitter.com/FW78vWqUnm https://t.co/i3aJJNToGc
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) October 11, 2023
