Jack Walton has left Luton Town to join Preston North End on a permanent deal, with manager Matt Bloomfield offering a compassionate explanation for the goalkeeper’s exit after 18 months at the club.
The move comes following the arrival of Republic of Ireland under-21 international Josh Keeley from Tottenham Hotspur, who is expected to take the number one shirt for the upcoming League One campaign.
Long-serving goalkeeper James Shea, described by Bloomfield as someone he “could not speak more highly of”, will act as the club’s number two. With Keeley and Shea forming the senior goalkeeping unit, Walton’s permanent switch to Preston gives him a fresh start and a chance for regular minutes in the Championship, closer to his family.
“These boys are humans with families behind them, and there’s lots of different scenarios and situations that play into what you see out in the team and out on the pitch on a Saturday,” Bloomfield to The Lutonian. “So, yeah, there’s lots to consider, especially with Jack, with him being on loan for two years, not having a settled family base — there’s lots of different situations.”
The 27-year-old initially joined Luton from Barnsley in January 2023. Although he never made a competitive appearance for the Hatters, Walton played a key supporting role in the second half of the club’s promotion-winning season from the Championship, providing back-up to Ethan Horvath and Shea.
“Jack’s been an absolute diamond to work with,” Bloomfield said, adding: “He’s trained really well every single day. He was fantastic up in Slovenia with us, and has conducted himself brilliantly throughout pre-season.
“He came back in the building off the back of a really good season in Scotland, and we wish him nothing but success.”
Walton spent the last two campaigns on loan at Dundee United. In his first season at Tannadice, he helped them secure promotion back to the Scottish Premiership. Last term he was ever-present in their top-flight campaign, playing a key role in helping United to a fourth-place finish — enough to secure European qualification.
While he never established himself as Luton’s number one, Walton’s contributions behind the scenes were highly valued.
“He’s a top guy,” Bloomfield added. “He’s someone we hold in really high regard.”
