Centre-half joins on-loan from Championship promotion contenders
The Hatters have completed the loan signing of defender Glen Rea for the rest of the season from Brighton & Hove Albion.Rea, 21, arrives in time to be included in the Town squad to face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. He has been given squad number five.
Primarily a centre-half, Brighton-born Rea has come through the academy ranks at the Amex Stadium and made his senior debut for the Seagulls in the League Cup earlier this season.
Two weeks later he was sent out on loan to League 1 side Southend United until January. Rea made 16 appearances for the Shrimpers, the last of which came against Doncaster in January.
Rea is a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, and has been called-up for their Euro-21 qualifiers against Italy and Slovenia over Easter. It means the defender will be unavailable for the Town’s Easter Monday trip to Barnet.
Manager Nathan Jones, who worked with Rea at the Amex, told lutontown.co.uk: “Glen is somebody we’ve had on our radar for quite a while now. Obviously he’s someone who I know very well having worked with him for the best part of two-and-a-half years.
“He’s a player I like, he’s versatile, he can fit into a number of positions, he’s fit, he’s young, hungry and mobile. He’s a very good player who I rate very highly.
“It’s taken a while because Brighton have had a few injuries so we’ve had to be patient, but when you want the right be people sometimes it pays to be patient.
“He’s a defensive player who has played predominately at centre-half and also right-back, so he ticks a number of boxes.
“He’s a played we’ve wanted to bring in so it’s pleasing to have finally got him.”
Welcome to Kenilworth Road, Glen!