Midfielder Zack Nelson has admitted it was difficult to leave Luton Town after completing a permanent move to AFC Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the League One side, with the Dons holding an option to extend his stay by a further 12 months, ending a six-year association with the Hatters that began when he joined the club’s academy after being released by Tottenham Hotspur.
Nelson was one of three players released by Luton at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, alongside Jacob Brown and Cohen Bramall, as manager Jack Wilshere confirmed the club wanted to “move in a different direction” ahead of next season.
Speaking after completing his return to Wimbledon, where he spent the second half of last season on loan, Nelson said it had been emotional leaving Kenilworth Road behind.
“It’s obviously tough leaving a place that you’ve been at for so long, since I was a teenager really, but here’s [Wimbledon] felt like home for me,” he said.
“I’ve managed to settle in really quickly and I’m just really excited to get back on the pitch.”
Nelson arrived at Luton as a teenager and after impressing in the academy he made his senior debut in the Premier League when he came off the bench in a 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace in March 2024. He featured more in the following season after relegation to the Championship.
In total, Nelson made 51 appearances for the Hatters and scored three goals, including a memorable long-range strike against QPR in the Carabao Cup.
However, opportunities became more limited following Wilshere’s appointment as manager in October last year, and Nelson joined Wimbledon on loan in January, where he provided the assist for the goal that secured their League One status at Wigan Athletic.
Nelson also took to social media to bid farewell to Luton supporters, writing: “After 6 years at the club my time has come to an end,” he wrote.
“I would like to thank the players & staff for helping me grow and develop into the player and person I am today. I would also like to thank the fans for your support along the way. All the best Hatters.”
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