Injury-hit Luton sign defender that trained with Town in the summer

Luton Town
Luton Town. Photo by Liam Smith

Luton Town have signed experienced defender Erik Pieters on a short-term deal, amid a their current injury crisis. 

The 36-year-old had been with the Hatters in the summer and started in a pre-season friendly against Stevenage at The Brache and has been signed with defenders Reece Burke, Teden Mengi, Alfie Doughty, and Reuell Walters all out, while Daiki Hashioka is a doubt after being withdrawn in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn last weekend.

Pieters made over 140 Eredivisie appearances for Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven, played Champions League football and internationally for the Netherland. He moved to England a decade ago and has played for Stoke City, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, but he has been without a club since leaving the Hawthorns in the summer.

“Erik is a hugely experienced left-sided defender who we know well after training with us in the summer,” manager Rob Edwards told the club’s website.

“With one or two of the issues that we’ve got at the moment, we feel that that Erik will be able to help us during this period.

“It may not necessarily be with game time. It could mean help with training and if he gets an opportunity then it’s down to him.

“He’s a good guy, very experienced and can bring balance to our defensive options during this difficult period with the injuries we currently have.”