Today we celebrate the Luton Town career of Tom Lockyer as we bid farewell to our captain, the man who led us into the Premier League, then led by example once there.

We knew this day was always going to come at some point, and inevitably there is sadness at seeing Locks depart. But every Lutonian should also share joy with the 30-year-old that he is now in the long-awaited position to be able to continue his playing career.

In the last month Locks has returned to a football pitch three times in a Luton number four shirt.

First, he played 45 minutes against Chelmsford City. Then came an hour against Reading U21s, before he completed a full 90 minutes against Barnet’s youngsters at The Brache.

For those present at Wembley and Bournemouth in 2023, just seeing him back in the orange that he has worn with pride on 117 occasions was an emotional, milestone moment.

Hatters CEO Gary Sweet was one of those people.

“I was lucky enough to witness Tom complete his first 45 minutes of action for 21 months, contributing admirably alongside our under-21s against a Chelmsford first team,” said Gary. “Witnessing Locks defend against his old team-mate Lyle Taylor was a joy to see, before watching him lead our youngsters against Reading and Barnet.

“It has been a long road to recovery for Tom as we have diligently nursed him back to fitness with great care, enabling him to make decisions about his future career he never thought he would be in a position to make at one point.

“We've taken great pride in helping Tom to a full recovery, which will continue for now with another club, but he knows that he and his family will always be welcome at Luton Town, the club he has called home for the past five years.

“We thank Tom so much for the prominent role he has played in our success in recent years. His play-off semi-final goal to level the tie against Sunderland will never be forgotten, and his name is firmly etched into Luton Town history as our first Premier League captain.

“We look forward to giving him a proper Kenilworth Road send-off when his matchday commitments allow.”

Locks leaves Kenilworth Road aiming to resume a career that started with Bristol Rovers and has taken in three promotions from National League to Premier League, European Championship and World Cup squad inclusion while a Luton player, not to mention a goal in our historic maiden Premier League win at Everton.

He joined the Hatters from Charlton in the lockdown summer of 2020, helping Nathan Jones’ side to a 12th-place finish in the Championship before our fans really had chance to make him a favourite as they were allowed back into grounds for 2021/22.

After playing for Wales in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament that summer, Locks became a regular in the team that made the play-offs, scoring once in 34 appearances as Town finished sixth, losing out to Huddersfield over two legs.

The following campaign saw him wear the captain’s armband in Sonny Bradley’s absence, playing 45 times, scoring in the play-off semi-final win over Sunderland and being named Luton Town Supporters’ Trust Player of the Year and joint Players’ Player with his great friend, Carlton Morris.

Leading us out at Wembley was his proudest moment to that point, but the first episode with his heart, when he collapsed due to an atrial fibrillation, saw his game against Coventry end after just eight minutes.

It was from his hospital bed that the Instagram picture of him and his family celebrating the penalty shoot-out win went viral, and he soon passed all the medical tests to resume playing that summer, signing a new contract and leading the team out for the first Premier League game at Brighton.

He made 14 top-flight appearances and was performing to such a level that he had won his place back in the Welsh starting line-up for their Euro 24 qualifier against Turkey, before suffering the cardiac arrest on the Vitality Stadium pitch.

In the 22 months since, Tom and his partner Taylor have become parents to their daughter, Mila, and he has become a fine ambassador for the British Heart Foundation and their campaign highlighting the need to learn the CPR skills that saved his life.

We are all so grateful for those heroes who not only brought him round, but who have since helped rehabilitate him here at The Brache to the point of being able to play again, with the additional hurdle of two ankle operations.

From everyone at Luton Town, a heartfelt thank you for making us dream and achieve, Locks. We wish you and your family all the very best for everything that lies ahead.

Once a Hatter, always a Hatter.