'Bright future' for Luker as young Hatters midfielder agrees new contract

Luton have announced that young attacking midfielder Jayden Luker has penned a new contract to extend his stay at Kenilworth Road.

The 21-year-old had spent time in the academies at Crystal Palace and Millwall before joining the Hatters in 2022, initially on trial and then signing a scholarship after impressing in a game against Town for the Pro Direct Soccer Academy. Luker then agreed a professional development contract in April 2023, which was extended later that year after he was named on the bench for Premier League fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

He gained valuable experience on loan in the National League at Woking in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign, as the following year Luker went to Grimsby and then spent last term with Notts County, winning the League Two play-off final by beating Salford City in the final at Wembley, having scored in the semi-final victory over

The midfielder, who has 61 senior appearances to his name, finally made his full Hatters debut in the opening day 3-0 victory at Gillingham in the Carabao Cup, setting up Nahki Wells for the first goal, but saw that occasion tempered when suffering a hamstring injury early in the second period, and hasn’t played since.

He is now working his way back to full fitness, as speaking to the club’s official website, boss Jack Wilshere said: “Jayden has waited a long time for his chance but has done things the right way, going out on loan and gaining good experience. I watched him a lot at Notts County because I’d got to know him while he was back here doing rehab, and when he came back in pre-season, he made it clear he wanted to play. I love that in a young player.

“The next step of his progression as a footballer is to be involved in our first team squad now, and although his injury has delayed that impact on the pitch, that’s what he now is – a first team player who will help us this season in League One. He has a great attitude. He soaks up the information we give him. He’s got real quality on the ball, and we’re really looking forward to him being available for selection again because he has bright future ahead of him as a Luton Town player.”