New signing Shaun Whalley ready for Hatters challenge
They say patience is a virtue.
For Shaun Whalley it’s taken a year for him to find the right club – and that club next season will be Luton Town.
The winger, who this season hit nine goals, assisted many more and walked away with numerous end-of-season awards at Southport, believes that his move to Kenilworth Road – which was sealed this week – is perfect for him.
“Last summer and in January a few clubs came in for me but they just weren't right,” the 25-year-old told lutontown.co.uk. “The next move for me was always going to be an important one for my career and it was a decision that I needed to consider carefully.
“I spoke with my dad, my agent and Liam Watson [his manager at Southport] and we all agreed the clubs interested in me at the time were not right.”
However, step forward Hatters manager John Still.
“At the end of the season John approached us, we sat down and all I heard from him were positive things,” continued Whalley.
“John’s vision and his project really excites me and Luton is a club certainly going places. It’s such a big club, bigger than almost all the teams in League 2 and quite a few in League 1 – the potential is frightening.
“John knows me and how I like to play, and that’s something I really buy into. I want to win things and push myself higher and I believe I can do that at Kenilworth Road.”
Having entertained the punters at Haig Avenue with his dazzling displays whilst with the Sandgrounders, Whalley says his new club are getting a player in his prime.
“I’m in the best form of my career,” he says. “I like to attack. I like to get the ball and dribble with it. I like to score and I like to create.
“No disrespect to Southport but I think at Luton we’re going to have more possession of the ball in matches so I’m confident I can push on and do even better next season.
“Liam Watson has definitely helped me become a better player and all I hope is that I continue to improve.
“There’s no doubt Luton is a challenge and there will be a lot of pressure on the team to succeed but I think I play best when I’m under pressure – it brings out the best in me, especially playing in front of big crowds.”