Jordan Clark will wait until the summer to discuss his contract situation, but the midfielder has admitted he has “never wanted to leave” Luton Town.
The 32-year-old midfielder is approaching the end of his current deal, but he says his focus remains firmly on helping the Hatters finish the League One season strongly before any decisions are made.
Clark, who joined Luton on a free after his Accrington Stanley deal expired in 2020, has gone on to become a central figure at Kenilworth Road, helping the club achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2023 and scoring at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City.
Now, after experiencing both the highs of promotion and the lows of back-to-back relegations, Clark admits there is a strong emotional pull to remain at the club.
He is hoping Sunday’s Vertu Trophy triumph at Wembley can kick-start a late League One promotion push, as the Hatters appear to have hit form at the right time. But the club’s recent struggles have clearly left a mark, with the midfielder referencing one of the most painful moments of the club’s recent history.
“I’ve never wanted to leave,” Clark said, adding: “To be truthful, I could have maybe gone in the summer, but obviously I felt that little bit of debt to the club, and especially after the back-to- back relegations, which was tough.
“[It’s] more tough for the fans, of course, who have been here a lot longer, before me, and a lot longer after me, but that West Brom game [on the final day of last season] was a really dark day. Tough, tough. [I’ll] never forget that.”
Despite that Championship relegation confirming heartache, the midfielder says his desire is to help drive Luton back up the divisions.
“I’ve had the highest of the highs here, and the lowest of the lows. [There’s] nothing more than I’d love to help get this club back to the Championship, and if that is it for me, then it’d be such a great way to go out,” he said.
Clark has been a consistent presence throughout his time at Kenilworth Road, establishing himself as a trusted figure across multiple managerial regimes, valued for his work rate, versatility and ability to contribute in big moments. And, this season, he’s bagged a career best 12 goals, making him this term’s top scorer.
For now, though, tonight’s visit of Northampton Town is the immediate challenge, as the first of five final games, with the Hatters eyeing a late push for the play-offs.
When asked about his situation for next season, Clark said: “Nothing yet, mate, I’ll be honest, I’m just focusing on this season. I’m not focusing on any contracts or anything at the minute.
“It’s just full focus on the games ahead and, fingers crossed, we can have two Wembley trips, and two successful Wembley trips. Then, obviously, I’ll probably sit down with the club in the summer and discuss what’s best.
“And, hopefully, I stay for another six years. Who knows, maybe there’ll be the next manager, if the gaffer moves on.”
He added: “But, like I said, we’ll see what happens. It’s full focus on the games, and then I’ll sit down with the club in the summer and, hopefully, we can get something sorted in the summer.”
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