Teenage midfielder joins his local Non-League club
Midfielder Alex Atkinson has today joined Evo-Stik League Southern Division One Central club Hanwell Town on a one-month youth loan.
The arrangement will see the 18-year-old play for the north-west London side until 31st December, when his contract with Luton Town will expire.
Atkinson joined the Hatters at Under-15s having previously played for Fulham and Wycombe as a schoolboy, and was a member of last season’s hugely successful youth team that won the Football League Youth Alliance double and reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.
Having signed his first professional contract in July, he travelled on the pre-season tour to Hungary and made his senior debut as a substitute in the 2-1 Checkatrade Trophy win at Gillingham in August.
Manager Nathan Jones told lutontown.co.uk: “Alex is a terrific footballer and has been great to have around the building, but unfortunately he picked up an injury in pre-season and never really got going like some of the other young players.
“It’s been frustrating for him having to wait for a chance, and this is a good opportunity for him to go and play some games at a club local to where he lives, then build a career from there.
“He’s had a fantastic grounding here with Andy Awford and Paul Driver in the academy, and I hope the time he’s had being around the experienced senior pros over recent months will stand him in good stead.
“Playing games in senior Non-League football will be good for him and we all wish him the best of luck at Hanwell Town, and for the rest of his career.”
Those sentiments are echoed by all at Kenilworth Road. Good luck Alex with Hanwell and beyond!