Tom Lockyer has agreed a new Luton deal and said he wants to “build something special” at the club as they enter the Premier League.
The player of the season will return today for the start of the club’s pre-season preparations ahead of their debut campaign in the top flight, which was earned through the Championship play-offs.
But the Welshman had to watch on from a hospital bed after collapsing on the Wembley pitch early in the final against Coventry City when part of his heart starting beating four times faster than it should.
Lockyer, who led Luton out at the national stadium as skipper, was rushed to the hospital where he was well enough to watch his team make history as the first team to go from non-league to the Premier League. A now iconic photo taken by his dad showed the moment the defender celebrated promotion from his hospital bed, surrounded by his family.
He spent five days in London’s Cleveland Clinic and underwent an operation to fix an atrial fibrillation and has since been given the all-clear, meaning he can resume his career with the club he has called “family”.
After agreeing a new deal, Lockyer said: “I’m so happy. I’d really like to build something special here at Luton Town. I’ve got an incredible relationship with the fans, the manager, all the boys. I love the club and I love being here.
“It’s incredible what we achieved last season. To have the chance to play with Luton in the Premier League will be something that’s really special to me.”
