We are delighted to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Jack Walton from Barnsley on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee, with Town keeper Harry Isted moving in the opposite direction on loan for the rest of the season.
Walton, 24, joined Barnsley’s academy as a 15-year-old from Bolton Wanderers and quickly impressed staff as he become the regular keeper for the Under 18s.
Jack also gained international recognition with the England Under 18s squad as a 17-year-old and later signed a three-year professional deal as he forced his way into first-team condition between 2017 and 2019.
The shot-stopper proved to be a vital part of Barnsley’s Championship survival during the 2019/20 season where he kept five clean-sheets in the final nine games of the campaign. He then played 24 times in the Championship as the Tykes reached the play-off semi-finals the following season.
This term he has amassed nine appearances in all competitions, keeping two clean sheets.
Manager Rob Edwards said: “Jack is an excellent, experienced goalkeeper who has worked with Kevin Pilkington before. We’ve been working behind the scenes since we let Matt Macey go on loan to Portsmouth and we wanted to make sure we strengthened the depth of that department. With Jack coming in, we feel we’ve done that.
“He’s got plenty of experience playing in the Championship with Barnsley, and we know that if anything were to happen to Ethan Horvath, we’d be very comfortable with the competition and cover in that area of the pitch, with James Shea coming back to fitness too.”
Isted, the 25-year-old who has made six appearances in all competitions since joining the Hatters from Stoke in the summer of 2017, has moved to Oakwell to join the Tykes on loan.
“We felt that Harry has given a lot to the club and it’s going to be difficult for us to give him that opportunity between the sticks,” added Edwards. “This gives him a chance to get out there and build a career, fight for his place at a really good club in Barnsley.
“We felt that it was the right move for Harry, and throughout the process, he’s been magnificent. He’s been brilliant around the group, a big member of the culture here and we’ll miss that. But he’s got to get his career going as well, and we wish him all the best up at Barnsley.”
Welcome to Luton Town Jack – and good luck up at Oakwell, Harry!
