We are delighted to announce the signing of experienced midfielder Luke Freeman in time to join the Hatters squad’s delayed flight to Slovenia tomorrow.
The 30-year-old free agent has been training with the Town since they returned for pre-season ten days ago, and has now agreed a permanent contract following his release by Sheffield United at the end of last season.
Freeman made his debut as a 15-year-old for Gillingham, before landing a move to Premier League giants Arsenal, who loaned him to Yeovil where he played alongside, and under, player-coach Nathan Jones 12 years ago.
After joining Stevenage permanently in 2012, the former England Under-15 and U17 international made over a century of appearances for the Hertfordshire club, then another 100-plus for both Bristol City and QPR before moving to Bramall Lane in 2019.
With opportunities limited with the then-Premier League club, Freeman joined Nottingham Forest on loan in 2020-21 and played 25 times in all competitions before a one-match loan at Millwall last season, prior to his Blades exit.
Manager Jones said: “Luke is someone that is established at the level. I have coached and played with him at Yeovil, then he did well at Stevenage, really well at Bristol City and then QPR, and he’s someone we’re delighted to get.
“He’s a fantastic character and a really good technical player; a left-footed, energetic midfielder who is attack minded.
“I’ve tried to sign Luke on two occasions before, wasn’t able to do it even though he had a real desire to do it on both occasions, I just couldn’t quite get there. To have finally got him is a big thing.
“He has come in to train with us, he has fitted in, he’s proved his fitness and had a real desire of wanting to play for Luton, so we’re excited by it.
“We’ve had Robert Snodgrass and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who have done really well for us as left footers, and sometimes they are at a premium, so we are delighted to have got it done. We’ve added another real good one.”
Freeman has more than 400 career appearances to his name, and after completing his medical at The Brache, he said: "The gaffer has asked me to come down here and I jumped at the opportunity to. I’ve really enjoyed my time so far.
“Hopefully I can add to the quality that is already here. The gaffer and the staff have done an unbelievable job over the last few years so hopefully I can help the team move in the right direction and maybe go one further this year.”
On his relationship with Jones, he added: "We’ve often kept in touch over the years, me and the gaffer – as I’ve now got to call him! It is good to finally sign for him and hopefully be a part of this quality side."
Welcome to Kenilworth Road, Luke!