Luton Town have confirmed that Cohen Bramall, Jacob Brown and Zack Nelson will leave the club this summer following the expiry of their contracts, while negotiations remain ongoing with Jordan Clark, Liam Walsh and Elijah Adebayo.
The retained list, released today following the end of the 2025/26 campaign, offers the clearest indication yet of how manager Jack Wilshere and the club intend to shape the squad heading into another push for promotion from EFL League One next season.
Of the departing trio, Brown is perhaps the highest-profile exit. The forward joined Town in the summer of 2023 for the club’s first ever Premier League campaign and famously scored the winner in the club’s first home victory of their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace.
The Scotland international went on to score seven goals in 60 appearances across his two seasons at Kenilworth Road, but spent the second half of the season on loan at Portsmouth.
Bramall departs after just one season in Bedfordshire, having made 35 appearances and scored three goals, including a strike that supporters later voted as the club’s goal of the season at the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust Awards.
Nelson leaves after progressing through the club’s academy system, having joined as an Under-15 player. The midfielder made his senior debut in the Premier League draw at Crystal Palace in March 2024 and went on to feature 51 times for the Hatters, scoring three goals. The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with AFC Wimbledon.
Luton also confirmed that loan players Ali Al-Hamadi, Nigel Lonwijk, Emilio Lawrence, Kasey Palmer and Davy van den Berg have returned to their parent clubs.
Palmer and Lawrence’s departures will particularly disappoint supporters after the midfielders became fans’ favourite during the second half of the season, helping inspire Town’s late charge towards the play-offs. Palmer bagged a career best eight goals following his January arrival from Hull City and today was also named League One player of the month for April.
Lawrence, on loan from Manchester City, kept Bramall out of the side and scored in the leveller Vertu Trophy final victory at Wembley before Nahki Wells’ double got Hatters’ hands on the silverware. Fans will be hoping that deals can be done in the summer to bring at least one of them back to Kenilworth Road next season.
The biggest immediate focus for many fans, however, will centre around the futures of Clark, Walsh and Adebayo.
Club vice captain Clark enjoyed arguably the best campaign of his career, scoring 13 goals in all competitions and sweeping the board at the recent Luton Town Supporters’ Trust awards night with four gongs.
Walsh also became a crucial figure during the club’s dramatic turnaround under Wilshere, with supporters repeatedly highlighting his influence in midfield during Town’s strong finish to the campaign.
Meanwhile, striker Adebayo remains in rehabilitation following surgery, and despite only making two appearances this term, the club confirmed discussions are ongoing with a view to extending his stay.
In a statement, Luton said: “Contract discussions remain ongoing with midfielders Jordan Clark and Liam Walsh with a view to extending their careers in Bedfordshire, as well as striker Elijah Adebayo who is continuing his rehabilitation from surgery during the close season at The Brache.”
The Hatters added that all other senior professionals remain under contract for the 2026/27 season, although discussions are already taking place regarding possible departures elsewhere in the squad.
Among the senior players contracted for next season are Kal Naismith, Nahki Wells, Jerry Yates, Isaiah Jones, Teden Mengi and Shayden Morris, while highly-rated youngsters Jake Richards and Joe Johnson also remain tied to the club.
The retained list also confirmed several academy departures and development contract offers as preparations continue for what will be Luton’s penultimate season at Kenilworth Road before the planned move to Power Court.
SENIOR SQUAD
Contracted (Under-24s)
Ethon Archer, Christian Chigozie, Joe Gbodé, Joe Johnson, Josh Keeley, Gideon Kodua, Jayden Luker, Oli Lynch, Christ Makosso, Jake Richards, Sverre Sandal, Reuell Walters
Contracted (Over-24s)
Millenic Alli, Mads Andersen, Shandon Baptiste, Devante Cole, Thomas Holmes, Isaiah Jones, Teden Mengi, Shayden Morris, Kal Naismith, Lasse Nordås, Hakeem Odoffin, George Saville, James Shea, Nahki Wells, Cauley Woodrow, Jerry Yates
ACADEMY UNDER-21S
Options taken
Benny Benagr, Zach Ioannides, Alvin Isufi, Jack Lorentzen-Jones, Jamie Odegah, Charlie Trustram, Tate Xavier-Jones
Contracted
Taylan Harris, Dylan Stitt, Lucas Thomas
Out of contract – released
Henry Blackledge, Liam Coyne, Jordan Iwhiwhu, Claude Kayibanda, Vlad Paternoster, Joshua Phillips, Kai Source
ACADEMY SCHOLARS
First-year development contract offers
Charlie Booth, Harry Fox, Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso, Kyron Roberts-Edema, Archie Shepherd
Entering second year of scholarship
Rufus Barnes, Excel Ed-Okungbowa, Nassim El Gourja, Fin Evans, Darren Frimpong-Kwakye, Dawid Gawel, Luca Knote-Reed, Ty Lesser, Jerome Passley-James, Kyrese Richards, Luke Takawira
Second-year scholars released
Lloyd Asamoah Junior, Enoch Kwame Anson
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