[themaclad]

Luton Town have signed Isaiah Jones from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old Guyana international made 149 appearances for Boro, scoring 13 goals, after making his debut in 2020.

Jones has played 23 times this season for Michael Carrick's team, who are fifth in the Championship.

"I think it's the perfect move for both parties. This season's been tough for Luton so far but there's a really strong squad here and hopefully I can put a smile onto the fans' faces," he said.

Earlier on Friday, Luton forward Joe Taylor made a permanent move to League One Huddersfield Town.

The Hatters have endured a difficult return to the second tier following relegation from the Premier League and parted ways with head coach Rob Edwards on Thursday after a run of four losses in a row, and 10 consecutive away defeats.

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Luton Town assistant managers Paul Trollope and Richie Kyle have both left the Championship strugglers.

The pair were in caretaker charge of Luton for the FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest on Saturday, having stepped up to the role following Rob Edwards' departure as boss.

Trollope and Kyle had moved to Kenilworth Road when Edwards was first given the job in November 2022, and Luton paid tribute to the departing pair for helping "mastermind" their promotion to the Premier League in 2023.

"Along with Rob, Paul and Richie have played a huge part in our recent success and they leave with our heartfelt thanks and respect for the job they have undertaken," said Luton chief executive Gary Sweet.

"That extends especially to the most recent period when they have acted with great dignity and professionalism in looking after the squad since last Thursday."

Analysts Joe Stephenson and Finley Taylor have also left Luton.

[themaclad]

Championship club Luton Town have signed Norway Under-21 midfielder Thelo Aasgaard from League One side Wigan Athletic.

The 22-year-old former Liverpool academy player joined Wigan's youth ranks in 2016 and made his senior debut in 2020, going on to score 30 goals in 163 appearances.

The Latics said the deal for Aasgaard, who netted eight times in his final 15 appearances for the club, involved a "significant" fee.

"It's been a joy to watch this club grow over the past few years, so I can't wait to be a part of it now," said Aasgaard, who scored against Luton in the Championship and FA Cup during the 2022-23 season, speaking to the club's website, external.

"I've been at Wigan from a young age and had a lot of good memories there, so the next move had to be right - had to be special - and I feel this is the right place to be."


00:40
Media caption,
"Aasgaard on the volley" - hosts strike first

Aasgaard is Matt Bloomfield's second signing since his appointment as Hatters manager on 14 January, following the return of defender Kai Naismith for a second spell at Kenilworth Road on loan from Bristol City for the rest of the season.

Second-bottom Luton have taken one point from their three games under former Wycombe Wanderers boss Bloomfield, losing their most recent two at Oxford United and at home to Millwall.

"He's a player who I've had my eye on from afar for a while," Bloomfield said of Aasgaard.

"He's technically very, very good and can create and score goals. Thelo can play as a 10 but can play as an eight or on the left, so he's adept at playing in a variety of positions.

"The board has been incredibly supportive in this process and I'd like to thank them for making Thelo's signing a reality.

"He's a player who will add immediate quality to the group and also comes with lots of potential, so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do as a Luton Town player."

Aasgaard could make his debut for Luton, who are three points from safety, when they visit Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

[themaclad]

Luton Town have signed Exeter City forward Millenic Alli in a deal BBC Radio Devon understands to be worth £1.5m.

The 24-year-old moved to the Grecians from non-league FC Halifax Town a year ago and scored 16 goals in 43 appearances.

He is Exeter's top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions.

He moves to a Luton Town side who have scored the third-fewest goals in the Championship and are second-from-bottom of the table, a season after being relegated from the Premier League.

"Milli is a player who we have come up against a few times and he's always impressed with his pace, power and individual dribbling ability to get his team up the pitch," Luton boss Matt Bloomfield told the club website.

"If you look at the goals he has scored – even Tuesday evening, two headers, one at the back post – he's a brave boy, and with his non-league background, he has a real hunger to prove himself at the levels above.

"Physically, he's got the capabilities to step up and with some work on the training ground with us, and that desire and pace at the top of the pitch, we believe that he can be a good asset for us both now and developing further into the future."

The deal represents another impressive piece of business for Exeter City.

The Grecians have prided themselves on nurturing players through their academy as well as bringing in players and selling them on for large fees.

The club has received fees and sell-ons in excess of £1m for players such as Sam Nombe, Jay Stansfield, Ethan Ampadu and Joel Randell in recent years.

"Part of the club's vision is to develop players from both inside and outside the Academy," Exeter City chief executive Joe Gorman told the club website.

"Thanks to Gary (Caldwell, manager) and the football staff, we are increasingly recognised as a club which develops and transitions players to higher levels, something which is again evidenced by this sale.

"This significant sum will be reinvested back into the club, to help fund first-team improvements, academy growth and overall club development.

"Selling players at the right time is a vital part of the club's strategic long-term vision."

Analysis
Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport, Exeter.

Millenic Alli's move for such a hefty fee is one of the surprises of the transfer window for Exeter City.

While it comes as a blow so late in the window, it represents a great bit of business for a player that has spent just a year at St James Park.

In that time he has adapted well to EFL football well and has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season.

But it leaves manager Gary Caldwell with a headache he did not foresee.

The Grecians had been concentrating on midfield and defensive reinforcements - Ryan Trevitt and Alex Hartridge joined on loan on Thursday.

Finding a new striker that will be able to take up Alli's scoring levels so late in the window will not be easy, or cheap.

[themaclad]

Manager Matt Bloomfield hailed midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu as a "Luton legend" after allowing him to join Rotherham United on loan on transfer deadline day.

The 30-year-old has made 412 appearances for the Hatters and was with them as they rose from the National League to the Premier League, playing 27 games in the top flight last season.

But he had only started one league match back in the Championship this term and now drops a further level to join Rotherham in League One.

"He's been a massive player for this football club for so many years, and he's someone I really respect for the longevity and the loyal service he's given to Luton Town. He's been great since we came in three weeks ago," former Wycombe boss Bloomfield told the Luton website.

"But at this moment in time, with the competition for places we've got in central midfield, it's right for him to have the opportunity to go and play regular football

He made his debut in a 5-0 Conference - now National League - win at Alfreton Town, and his most recent appearance was as a 60th-minute substitute in a 3-2 defeat by Oxford United on 21 January.

Mpanzu, who won four promotions with Luton, joins a Rotherham side currently 15th in the third tier, seven points outside the play-off places, ahead of Saturday's home game against Shrewsbury Town.

Chief executive Gary Sweet said: "It'll be strange not to see and hear Pelly around the place. He's been a massive part of this last generation, has achieved so much in his Luton career, and we thank him for the journey we've all enjoyed with him.

"It's a decision that was felt was the best for Pelly by all, including him and his advisers, because he ultimately needs to play more football.

Mpanzu is believed to be out of contract at the end of the season, but Sweet hinted at a future testimonial match, adding: "We all wish Pelly the best at Rotherham and hope he helps them to a successful end to the season, but it will be great to see him back for at least one more game in the future."

Following Monday's announcement of Mpanzu's loan move, supporters took to social media to praise his contribution over the years.

"The word legend is bandied about too much. However. Pelly is the definition of Luton club legend. All the best, sir, hope you go and smash League One," Chris posted on X.

"Really hope he gets a chance to bring back his smile, laugh and skills to our @LutonTown team. He has been the heartbeat of the squad for over a decade. Probably the best man to keep the squad calm in times of a crisis," posted Kevin.

[themaclad]

Luton Town have announced they will release "club legend" Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu at the end of his contract next month.

The 31-year-old's departure will bring to an end a stay of more than 11 years for the midfielder, who joined the Hatters when they were in the National League and helped them to four promotions, a record, as they rose to the Premier League.

The DR Congo international made 412 appearances for the club, although he spent the second half of the season on loan at Rotherham United.

The club website said Mpanzu "departs as a Luton Town legend for his role in our rise from non-league to the Premier League over 11-and-a-half glorious years at Kenilworth Road since signing from West Ham as a teenager in 2013".

Also leaving Luton after their relegation from the Championship, will be goalkeeper Tim Krul, defender Amari'i Bell and Nigeria international Victor Moses.

Bell leaves after four years, and was also part of the 2022-23 side that secured promotion to the Premier League.

Jameson Horlick is another first-team squad member who will leave Kenilworth Road, but the club confirmed that defender and club captain Tom Lockyer, who is out of contract, will remain with the club to complete his rehabilitation from ankle surgery.

[themaclad]

Luton Town have signed centre-back Kal Naismith on a free transfer following his release by Bristol City.

Naismith, 33, played for the Hatters from early 2021 to mid-2022 and returned on loan last season, making 10 appearances in their unsuccessful attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship.

"It's really important that Kal is signing for us. He's an incredibly well-respected figure here and has a fantastic history with our football club," said boss Matt Bloomfield.

"Above all, he has fantastic organisational and leadership skills and he's going to play an integral part on and off the pitch for us next season."

Naismith began his career in Glasgow with Rangers and also had spells at Accrington Stanley, Portsmouth and Wigan before joining Luton for the first time in January 2021.

He played 68 games before leaving for Ashton Gate in the summer of 2022, the last two in the Championship play-off semi-final against Huddersfield Town, which Luton lost 2-1 on aggregate.

On his permanent return, he said: "Coming back on loan was amazing, but coming back now as a Luton player is special, and I'm so happy.

"I wanted to continue the journey, so there was no other option in my head. Some clubs just fit, and this club just fits for me. At this stage of my career, I'm still so hungry to be successful and play games."

The length of his deal has not been disclosed, but he added: "I've not signed a life-time contract but look, I would love to, I would tomorrow, because this is where I want to play until I'm done."

[themaclad]

Luton will sign experienced Championship midfielder George Saville when his Millwall contract expires at the end of June.

The Northern Ireland international, who turned 32 last week, has spent the past four seasons playing for the Lions in the second tier, appearing in 45 of their 46 Championship games last season as they narrowly missed the play-offs.

Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield told the club website, external: "We're really pleased to sign George, not just because of the experience and quality he'll bring, but because he's really enthused about the challenge that lies ahead.

"He's chosen us over some Championship offers which shows his belief in our club, and that's the type of character we're after.

"We're hoping George can help us with his leadership and ability to knit the game together in the middle of the pitch. He's going to be an important component of the squad."

Saville said: "It's been a tough couple of years for the club but this is now a chance to correct that. Speaking with the manager, and what he wants to do, there's a chance to build something, create a good atmosphere and have a good season.

"I had offers in the Championship but since the first conversation with the manager it was clear-cut, it fits what I want and it's an opportunity to achieve something."

After coming through the ranks at Chelsea, Saville made well over 200 appearances for Millwall across four spells at The Den, the first two on loan, and also had time with Brentford, Wolves and Middlesbrough, making more than 100 Boro appearances before returning to Millwall in 2021.

He has also won more than 50 caps for his country since making his debut in 2017, and teed up the only goal as Northern Ireland beat Iceland in a friendly on Tuesday night.

Saville's arrival comes after the Hatters confirmed the return of veteran defender Kal Naismith on Tuesday.