The Hatters have completed the signing of centre-half Scott Cuthbert on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old arrives at Kenilworth Road after a period with Leyton Orient which saw the O’s lose in the League 1 Play-Off final in 2014 and then get relegated in the season just passed.
Described as a “warrior” by Town boss John Still, Cuthbert began his career on the books at Glasgow Celtic as a youngster, but failed to make a senior appearance with the Scottish giants. He did, however, gain experience out on loan with spells at Livingston and St Mirren.
In 2009 the defender headed south and joined Swindon Town and went onto make 96 appearances for the Robins in two seasons. During that time he helped the County Ground outfit reach the League 1 Play-Off final in 2010 which they lost to Millwall at Wembley. Scott left Swindon for Orient in 2011 and became a mainstay at the heart of the O’s’ defence. Last season he suffered more Play-Off heartbreak following the East London club’s defeat to Rotherham.
He joins the Hatters with plenty of experience. In total the defender, who was also been capped at B level for Scotland, has made 296 senior appearances and has chipped in 13 goals. Not bad for a centre-half.
On his latest capture, Still told lutontown.co.uk: “When you set your targets you don’t always get them but Scott was the one we wanted. We stuck at it and we’ve got him.
“He’s impressed us as we didn’t have to push him towards us, he wanted to come here. Scott’s dropped a level but he thinks he can get back up to League 1 and beyond in his time with us.
“He’s a warrior, he’s got leadership qualities; he’s a good talker and a good organiser. When you sign an experienced player like this you want them to put it to good use and I think Scott will.
“He was the top man at Orient and I’m delighted with this capture. We felt it was important to bring in a player that will come in and make all our centre-backs look at each other and ask ‘who is going to play?’ And that’s what we want.”
Cuthbert told Hatters Player: “I was important, coming down to League 2, that it needed to be the right club and I don’t think Luton could be more perfect.
“The support is fantastic, the manager has all the experience in the world and I know Kevin Dearden from my days with Leyton Orient and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the place. I don’t think there’s a better fit for me.
“The aim is promotion – I wouldn’t have come to this club if I didn’t think that was possible.”