Mads Andersen will link up with his new Luton team-mates for the first time today and the start of pre-season, but there will be some familiar faces that he joked he can start kicking again.
Reported as their record transfer fee, though officially undisclosed, the centre half was unveiled as Town’s newest recruit on Monday when he signed from Barnsley.
The Hatters are no stranger to plucking players from the Tykes and last summer they signed Cauley Woodrow alongside, their previous record signing, Carlton Morris. Goalkeeper Jack Walton also followed in January.
Andersen revealed he spoke to all three when Luton, who were keen on the Dane in January, returned with the same interest in the current summer transfer window.
Asked about reuniting with the goalscorers in particular, the 26-year-old said: “(They’re) great guys, great players, so I’m looking forward to seeing them and kick them in training again, it’s going to be good to see them.”
Andersen watched from afar as Morris became Town’s top scorer last term, rattling in 20 goals on their way to Premier League promotion.
That was the striker’s best-ever single season haul by nine goals, but for a defender who battled against him plenty of times in Barnsley training sessions, Andersen said: “I am not surprised. That is what he does, he’s a very, very good player, what can I say, honestly, I’m not surprised he did it.
“You’re probably going to see that again this season, if he really wants to, if he wants to go out there and score a goal, he’ll do it, so I’m happy to be on his team.”
Both Woodrow and Morris have also been rewarded with new deals ahead of Luton’s first-ever campaign in the Premier League.
To prepare for it, pre-season starts today and asked if he was pleased to get his transfer sealed early, Andersen said: “Yes, I think so. I think that’s the best way you can do it. You’re here from day one and get to know the players and everything as quickly as possible, to adapt, and so you don’t come in the last week and have to adapt to everything (late). I’m happy to get it done early.”
