Luton have made Republic of Ireland international Chiedozie Ogbene their first signing of the summer as they prepare to play in the Premier League for the first time ever.
The 26-year-old will join from Championship outfit Rotherham United on July 1 when his contract ends.
Ogbene is the first African-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland after he was born in Nigeria and moved to Cork when his father was offered a job there. He earned his first cap two years ago, and has since scored four goals in 15 games for the Boys in Green.
He began playing for Cork before moving to Limerick and then coming over to England in 2017 when he signed for then Championship Brentford. After a loan at Exeter he moved to Rotherham United where he made 136 appearances across four seasons, winning two promotions to the second tier and a Papa Johns Trophy triumph.
Speaking after completing his medical at The Brache, Ogbene said: “I’m delighted to be here as a Premier League player, because of my journey and where I’ve been in the last five-and-a-half years, from Limerick FC and the League of Ireland to Luton Town FC in the Premier League. My former coach said it would be one in 200,000 – I guess I’m that one in 200,000!
“My journey is special to me. I come from Rotherham United, who I spent four seasons with and where I achieved some great things with some great people. But to be considered to be a Luton Town player with an opportunity to feature in the Premier League was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
He added: “I’m just excited to be here. To feature in the Premier League is everyone’s dream and I’m really happy for the opportunity.”
