We are delighted to confirm the signing of forward Aribim Pepple from Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
The Kettering-born striker, 19, lived in Leicestershire before moving to Canada with his family at the age of five.
It was there that he joined his local club, Calgary Foothills, at Under-10 level and signed for the first team after impressing in the Canadian Premier League open trials aged just 15.
He signed his first professional contract in August 2019 and played 13 times that season before he announced his departure from Cavalry to move to Spain to join the Getafe youth team.
Pepple, known as Bim, scored on his debut for Getafe’s U19s and later made his international debut for Canada U17s, before returning to Cavalry in April this year.
He made an immediate impression upon his return and was named the CPL’s Player of the Month for June after becoming the first-ever player to score in five consecutive matches.
The 6ft forward scored six goals in seven outings this term, averaging a goal every 70 minutes for the league leaders.
Manager Nathan Jones said: “We’ve been aware of Bim for a little while. With the greatest respect, we had to do our primary recruitment first, and there are certain signings that we make that are for the future.
“We know that the way we develop players, we are susceptible to losing them and we always want to have a bit of a conveyor belt of players coming through. The club have always been really proactive in finding the next one, and that’s what this does.
“People like Louie Watson, Alfie Doughty, Pepple – they safeguard the future of the club because we are doing our recruitment early with young players, developing them so that we are not having to go out and buy another Carlton Morris, for example.
“We are looking at developing players and keeping them moving forward within the club. Of course, we want to bring them through the academy. If that type isn’t in the academy, then we have to go and get them really early and work with them.
“That’s what this is. It’s a great opportunity for Bim, but he’s also a real good blank canvas to develop into our next Elijah, our next Cameron Jerome, our next Carlton Morris.”
With Pepple returning the country of his birth after 14 years away, Jones added: “He was born over here, but has gone to Canada and had a wonderful way of life over there.
“It may be a little bit different back over here, but I’m sure he’ll adapt to that and he’ll quickly come into the reckoning here, and whatever he needs to get up to speed, we’ll give him that. He’s a wonderful kid and we are really looking forward to working with him."
Pepple, who spent time on trial with both Sheffield United and Leicester City in 2021, added: “It feels really good to finally get this done and be here. I’m so excited to finally come over and join Luton.
“Just in the short time I have been around the club, it is clear the goal of the team this year is to get promoted to the Premier League. If I can help in any way possible, that is my goal."
