‘Alfie gives us even more flexibility and potency,’ says Jones as boss sharpens his attack

Nathan Jones says the signing of Alfie Doughty adds an attack-minded left-sided player that Luton have coveted for some time, while the midfielder’s arrival will also be a boost for Amari’i Bell.  

Town have made the 22-year-old their first summer signing, after losing influential defender Kal Naismith to Bristol City. 

Doughty began his career at Charlton, where Jones was a coach and joined Stoke in January 2021, a few months after the Welshman’ was relieved of his Potters managerial duties. 

“He is one we wanted to add,” Jones said, adding: “We want to keep adding quality and we’ve watched Alfie for a number of years. We did try to get him prior but just missed out on him, so the time is right now.

“We wanted to strengthen in that area. Amari’i Bell has done really well for us, but adding Alfie gives us even more flexibility and potency on the left-hand-side.

“He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s nowhere near his ceiling and he’s a typical Luton signing really, a real good Luton signing in terms of getting him at the right age, working with him and making him better.

“He’s got good experience, having played in the Championship during his teens. He had good grounding at Charlton and it is a club we know well, so I spoke to some key people about him and we’re delighted to get him.”

Talking to  the club’s website about what Doughty will bring to the Hatters, Jones said: “He’s quick, really attack-minded and it is what we want to be about this year. We were last year, but we want to be stronger coming out of this window than we were last window, and with us losing Kal Naismith, it is important we strengthen that area.

“Signing Alfie means we can utilise Amari’i’s strengths better, while adding real competition. It’s a real good signing for us.”