The Development squad kick-off their pre-season campaign tonight with a friendly against Crawley Green – and the newly-turned professionals were at Kenilworth Road last night to sign their contracts in the Trophy Room.
Congratulations to the following first-year development pros and the new intake of scholars who have recently started full-time training after completing their GCSEs…
New Signings
TOBIAS BRANEY
Essex-based striker who has been playing senior Non-League football for Isthmian Premier club Bowers & Pitsea. The 18-year-old was previously in Millwall’s academy and last season was selected for the English Colleges’ men’s squad while studying at USP College.
DANIEL IDIAKHOA
Central midfielder signed from United Counties League side Newport Pagnell Town. The 18-year-old was born in Dublin, but moved to Buckinghamshire five years ago and played for Tattenhoe Youth. While studying and playing at the Soccer Assist Academy, he joined Newport Pagnell two years ago and helped them win the FA Vase last season, as well as appearing in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup final at Kenilworth Road.
JAYDEN LUKER
Central midfielder from South London who played for Lambeth Tigers from Under-7s to 16s. The 17-year-old impressed when scoring against the youth team for the Pro Direct Academy East London last season, and also played as a trialist in the EFL Youth Alliance Cup final defeat to Preston.
Graduating from the Under-18s
JOSH ALLEN
Striker, 18, who joined the Hatters Academy aged 12, having previously trained with the Community Trust’s Pre-Academy from the age of nine while also playing for grass-roots clubs Ampthill Town and Kempston Rovers.
First-Year Scholars
CLAUDE KAYIBANDA
Central defender or midfielder, who joined the Hatters as an Under-12 having been scouted playing for grass-roots club Focus Football.
JACK LORENTZEN-JONES
Midfielder who joined Luton at the age of eight after impressing at a Community Trust Summer Camp. Played grass-roots for Bromham.
MARCUS WARREN
Midfielder who played for Toddington Rovers and Leighton United, and first pulled on a Hatters shirt aged seven before spending time at Tottenham. Returned to the Town Academy at U11s.
MAX SCOTT
Centre-half or left-back, who joined the Hatters at the age of seven having been scouted playing for grass-roots club Harvesters.
TYRELL GIWA
The midfielder or right-back played for Hemel Hempstead and Bovingdon before joining the Hatters through a trial with the Pre-Academy at U12.
WILL HOUGHTON
Striker who played his early football with Harvesters and St Albans City. Joined the Hatters at U12s after impressing for the Pre-Academy against the Academy.
JOE JOHNSON
Left-back who joined the Hatters in February 2020 as an Under-14 from Focus Football, having previously been at Arsenal’s academy for two years.
*Joe was unable to have his picture taken last night due to illness, but it will be added when he is well.