Luton Town have completed the signing of Manchester United midfielder Dan Gore on a season-long loan deal which includes a conditional option to buy.
The 21-year-old becomes Jack Wilshere’s seventh signing of the summer and arrives at Kenilworth Road after spending last season with Rotherham United, where he made 41 appearances and was voted the club’s player of the season despite their relegation from League One.
Gore also previously spent time on loan at Port Vale and has made two senior appearances for Manchester United, while representing England at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 level.
Wilshere revealed Gore had caught Luton’s attention during their meetings with Rotherham last season, having impressed him with his aggressive style and determination.
“Dan was someone who, when we played Rotherham in the home game quite early on in our time here and drew 0-0, we spoke about as coaches, saying that we really liked him,” Wilshere told LTFC+.
“He’s got something a little bit different. He’s aggressive in duels. He can carry the ball. He’s got personality on the pitch. He loves a tackle, and he’s someone that we kept our eye on in the second game up there.”
Luton drew 0-0 with Rotherham at Kenilworth Road before beating the Millers 2-1 away later in the season, with Wilshere particularly impressed by Gore’s efforts to keep driving his side forward.
“I thought we were actually really good that night and we dominated most of the game, but he never gave up. I kept seeing him trying to drive his team on,” he said.
“He’s got a really good education at a top club in Manchester United, so he’s definitely someone who comes in to improve us in that midfield area.”
Gore is the latest youngster from a Premier League club to join Luton, with the Hatters also bringing in players on loan from Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City this summer.
Wilshere believes that is evidence of the reputation Luton are building for developing young players, both on and off the pitch.
“It’s a big thing,” he said. “It’s more credit when a player wants to come back like Emilio has, because these clubs can see the work that everyone’s putting in to try and develop their young players.
“That then attracts other top clubs, and I’m proud of that because that’s a credit to everyone in the environment.”
Wilshere stressed that Luton’s appeal to Premier League clubs goes beyond what happens on the training pitch.
“Of course, football’s a big part of that. But it’s not just football – it’s medical, it’s performance, it’s nutrition – holistically how we look after them and how we make them feel,” he said.
“Ultimately, they’re here to make us successful on the pitch, but we feel like we can develop them too, on and off it. We should all be proud of the culture we’re creating that is enabling these loans to happen.”
For Gore, the opportunity to work under former England and Arsenal midfielder Wilshere was another attraction.
“I’m buzzing to get it done. I know Luton is a big club, and I like the style that Jack is trying to play,” he said.
“I think you had something like 70 per cent possession in that game at Kenilworth Road last season, so it was always interesting to me.”
Gore believes Luton’s possession-based approach can help take his game to another level after his previous experience in League One.
“I think it can definitely improve me, having a lot of the ball. At United we’re used to keeping the ball and being technical,” he said.
“It helps that Jack’s the gaffer because he’s been there and done it, and he knows what it’s like to be at the top level. Coming from a Premier League club, you’re going to develop a lot under him because he’s been there himself.”
Gore also feels his time at Rotherham has prepared him for another season in the third tier.
“I had a good time at Rotherham, despite the relegation. I learnt a lot and the club’s done a lot for me, so it was it was a good experience. I’m just looking to build on it now at Luton,” he said.
And the new arrival is already looking forward to playing in front of the Kenilworth Road crowd.
“I can’t wait for the first home game. I love the stadium. It seems like a home, so I can’t wait for it.”
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