Confirmed: Luton sign Carlos Mendes-Gomes from Morecambe

Luton have made highly sought-after Morecambe midfielder Carlos Mendes-Gomes their seventh summer signing signing him for an undisclosed fee despite reports of a £500,000 price tag.

The signing comes courtesy of Town’s Transfer Club, made possible by contributions of supporters who have donated the 40 per cent credit they were entitled to on renewing their season tickets. It’s an approach that has already allowed the club to sign Fred Onyedinma from Wycombe and Allan Campbell from Motherwell.

Senegal-born Gomes moved to Spanish side Getafe aged 13 before moving to Atletico Madrid, but his family moved to England due to the prospect of a higher quality education, eventually signing for tenth-tier West Didsbury & Chorlton in the North West Counties League. 

Morecambe spotted the winger whilst playing for his college team, and laat season he helped them secure promotion to League One for the first time in the Shrimps’ history, scoring the winner in the play-off final win over Newport County. That was his

Luton boss Nathan Jones has hailed new signing Carlos Mendes Gomes as a ‘wonderful human being’ after the attacker became the Hatters’ seventh new signing of the summer this afternoon.

The 22-year-old was one of the stars of Morecambe’s rise to League One last term, scoring the penalty spot as they beat Newport County 1-0 in the final at Wembley. That was his 16th strike in 54 matches. 

Manager Nathan Jones told the club’s website: “We identified Carlos a long time ago, watched him and then got to a point where we agreed with Morecambe, who have been superb to deal with.

“Then I met him and I can tell you, he was a joy to meet. He’s a wonderful human being and it’s a fantastic football story of where he’s come from. I was very conscious of that while recruiting him, if I’m honest.

“He had a number of offers from Championship clubs, so I had to be sure that it was going to be right for us to persuade him to come down south, because all the rest were up closer to home – and he’s a big family man.

“But we spent hours together, myself and him and his representatives. We met his family, who are really close-knit, and we are really delighted to get him. We really think he has an opportunity.

“He has wonderful ability and has shown great, great character. He’s shown great courage, as you saw in the play-off final with him scoring the penalty, and we believe we’ve got one not just for the future, but one that can really impact now as well.”