Adebayo ‘hungry’ as Luton boss Edwards points to ‘more competition’ for strikers

Luton manager Rob Edwards says Elijah Adebayo has more “growth in him” which he’ll need as he faces “more competition” in the Premier League after the striker signed a contract extension. 

The forward formed a formidable partnership with Carlton Morris as Town won promotion to the top flight, continuing a remarkable rise for the 25-year-old who signed from League Two Walsall in January 2021. 

After netting on his full Championship debut, he fired 17 goals in his first full season as a Hatter. 

Adebayo bagged ten last season, as Morris notched 20 in his debut campaign for the club, taking the former’s tally to 32 goals in 109 appearances. 

Luton have already bolstered their striking options in this summer transfer window with the signing of Republic of Ireland international Chiedozie Ogbene from Rotherham and rumours of interest in Fenerbahçe’s Josh King and Inter Miami’s Josef Martinez.

Praising former Fulham academy graduate, Adebayo, Edwards said: “His rise has been really quick. He’s got loads of growth in him, and again, he’s another person who is in a really good environment to do that. There is going to be more competition this year in that position. We know we’ve gone to a level that’s the hardest in the world.

“So it’s going to be a big, big ask of him, but we believe in him – and he will keep improving, there is no doubt about that. He looks really hungry since he returned. We love him here and I know the supporters do as well.

“I know he scored loads of goals the year before, and not as many last year. But his all-round contribution, especially when we came in, was immense and I know that will continue in the Premier League.”

Adebayo’s team-mates Luke Berry, Amari’i Bell, Carlton Morris, Cauley Woodrow, Reece Burke, Tom Lockyer and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu have also extended their terms this summer and speaking of the forward’s extension, boss Edwards told the club’s website: “We are really pleased for Eli to commit. It’s a fantastic re-signing. Since we arrived, he played in almost every league game and his work rate was so consistent.

“We were really pleased to get that period in November where we built up a good relationship with Eli. He gave us that trust, he gave us everything.

“Sheffield United really stands out for me. He had a brilliant assist, and people remember that, but his work-rate, he just ran for 94, 95, 96 minutes after we took Carlton off.

“He had a spell where he scored in five or six games in a row at one stage, so it was great that he scored. But he contributed with so many important moments, and obviously the assist in the final.”