Luton Town have signed defender Amari’i Bell on a free from Blackburn Rovers, with manager Nathan Jones admitting he’d wanted to bring the Jamaican international to the club last year, but had to bring in Rhys Norrington-Davies on loan instead.
The left-back is Town’s sixth new addition this summer transfer window and manager also admitted the 27-year-old didn’t come for the money, after receiving better offers from other clubs.
Bell could join up with his country for the CONCACAF Gold Cup next month, but Jones told the club’s website: “Amari’i was on my list a year ago, but it wasn’t possible to get him so that’s why we had to take a loan, and bring Rhys Norrington-Davies in.
“Amari’i is one I kept an eye on when I was out of work. I watched a lot of players and him, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Rhys were ones I really flagged up as players I’d like to bring to the football club.
“He has real good athleticism and experience of the lower leagues, but also of the Championship.
“He’s been at a very good football club at Blackburn, so we know he comes with good pedigree, and again, he had a number of very good offers, and at no point are we their biggest offer financially, so all of them have come here for the right reasons and that’s why we are delighted with the work we have done. Amari’i is another one of those we are excited about.
“Obviously if he goes away to the Gold Cup with his country, we’ll have to be slightly more patient with him, but we believe we’ve got a good signing and are looking forward to working with him.”
Bell started his career with Birmingham City in 2011, but only made one appearances amongst loan spells at Nuneaton Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Mansfield Town, Swindon Town and Gillingham.
In 2015 he joined Fleetwood Town and made 137 appearances in two-and-a-half years before switching to then League One Blackburn in 2018, helping them back to the Championship.
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