Emilio Lawrence has returned to Luton Town for another season – and brought the Hatters’ new purple third kit with him.
The 20-year-old joins on a season-long loan from Manchester City after helping the Hatters win the Vertu Trophy last season, scoring the crucial equaliser against Stockport County in the final at Wembley Stadium.
In a double dose of good news on the eve of the League One season starting at Reading, the purple kit, which is Luton’s first in a decade, will go on sale in the coming days, while one of the shirts signed by Lawrence will be given away to a supporter at tomorrow’s trip to face the Royals.
For Lawrence, though, the focus is on football and building on an impressive first spell with the Hatters, where he made 21 appearances after joining on loan in January. And is now targeting a much bigger impact after returning for a full season, revealing that manager Jack Wilshere’s belief in him was a major factor in his decision to return to Kenilworth Road.
“It feels great to be back and I can’t wait to get started, get back in front of the crowd and pick up where I left off,” he told the club’s website.
“To me it only feels like a few weeks ago that I was here. I went back to City in the off-season, but the manager made it clear he wanted me to come back. He’s someone I know and I’ve worked with him now, so he definitely played a part in me coming back.
“I believe he can really develop me as a player. I think there’s a lot more in me to be seen for the fans, staff and players, and I’m definitely looking forward to a full season here.
“That’s one of the reasons I’ve come back. I think it’s very important to have a manager that believes in you the way he does me, and that just fills me with a lot of confidence to go out on the pitch and do what I do, and just to work hard for him.”
Lawrence’s return will also be welcomed by supporters who made no secret of their desire to see the 21-year-old back in Bedfordshire after his impressive first spell.
The winger admitted: “During my time away, I definitely felt the love from the fans on social media, and I can’t wait to see them all again.
“We finished last season on a great unbeaten run and I’ve seen the boys have had a strong pre-season as well, so I’m sure the momentum is still there, and we all know what to do going into the start of the season. We’ll all be ready for it.”
Lawrence’s return also means another member of the side which lifted the Vertu Trophy at Wembley is back in Wilshere’s squad after Town made Kasey Palmer a permanent Town player this summer as they look to build on their strong finish to last season.
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