Luton have signed Arsenal’s Albert Sambi Lokonga on a season-long loan before the transfer window shuts with boss Rob Edwards saying the midfielder will “give us more control in the middle of the pitch”.
The Belgian international, who was in the stand at Kenilworth Road tonight to see his new side lose 2-1 to West Ham United, will add competition for Luton fan favourite Marvelous Nakamba in the defensive midfield position or possibly play alongside the Zimabwean.
Lokonga spent the second half of last term on loan at Crystal Palace, making nine Premier League appearances for the Eagles, having played 15 times for the Gunners prior to that, largely in domestic cup and European competitions.
The 23-year-old came up through the Anderlecht academy and then moved to north London in July 2021 for a reported £17.2million.
Town boss Rob Edwards said: “It’s an exciting signing, he comes with lots of Premier League experience and has brilliant pedigree. I met him and had a really good chat, he’s hungry and wants to play football.
“He knows and understands what we are about, he believes that he can help us and I think it’s a really good fit.
“Another player for our squad who has Premier League quality, we’ll get him now for two weeks during the international break for him to bed in and I’m excited to have him.
“He’s a midfielder who really looks after the ball, he gives us stability to play in a double pivot if needed, but he can also run on and play as a number eight.
“He’ll give us more control in the middle of the pitch during certain moments of games, but he’s someone who hopefully we can help develop as well.”
Lokonga was the 12th and final summer transfer window, which saw Town add Thomas Kaminski, Mads Andersen, Ross Barkley, Marvelous Nakamba, Tahith Chong, Ryan Giles, Tim Krul, Chiedozie Ogbene, Issa Kaboré (loan), Jacob Brown and Teden Megni.
