New Luton signing Daiki Hashioka has already learned the Tom Lockyer song as was “serenading” the club captain at his first match as a Hatter, but boss Rob Edwards says Town will be patient with the Japanese international as he gets up to speed with Premier League football.
The 24-year-old was signed on Tuesday for a reported €2million from Belgian top-flight club Sint-Truiden and he was unveiled to his new supporters at half time during the 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
The right back’s lap around the Kenilworth Road came as Luton were already 3-0 up after a blistering first-half and Edwards said: “It was good on the first night to see us. I’ve got to let him know that it’s not like that every week.
“I think he enjoyed it, he was up singing the songs, learning the songs, serenading Tom Lockyer, who was sat a couple (of seats) down from him. He was singing Lock’s song, so he had a great night.”
Hashioka will travel with his new team-mates to Newcastle for the return Premier League fixture after Town beat them 1-0 just before Christmas, however he won’t feature just yet.
Issa Kaboré has returned from AFCON action with Burkino Faso, while Chiedozie Ogbene has been in sparkling form with the Manchester City loanee has been on international duty.
“There’s real competition for places and he knows that, he’s aware of that as well,” said Edwards of his new recruit.
“He’s up for the challenge and that’s why we like him as well. I’m really very honest when we’re looking to recruit people, and say that no-one has a right to start the games. You’ve got to earn that. You’ve got to show us and when you get your opportunity you’ve got to take it.
“He’s up for that as well. We’ve got competition all over, which is really important for us. There’s some difficult decisions which, again, I always say it every week, it keeps me up at night. But I’d rather have it that way than the other.”
Hashioka grew up in Japan watching the Premier League and his favourite player was Cristiano Ronaldo and he wanted to be a striker until he became a defender when he was 14.
In his first interview on the Luton website, he said he’d give “all to the team.”
Talking of Hashioka’s talents, Edwards said: “(He’s got) a great personality, first and foremost. Wonderful lad. He can bring us some good control. He’s good with the football. He’s aggressive and wants to defend, which is really important to us. He’ll play on the front foot.
“He’ll have lots of time. We’ve got to stress that we’ve got to be patient with him as well, because I think the way we play is quite unique and you’ve got to be ready for that. You have to run. But he’ll do all that.
“He’s actually got a goal in him. But he really likes to defend so I’m really looking forward to getting to know him better and work with him for a longer period of time so he can get to know us and what we want. And we can really see his skillset at close hand, as well.”
