Luton have signed Reuell Walters from Arsenal with boss Rob Edwards saying he hopes the teenager will make an impact in the coming Championship campaign.
A defender, who has won caps at England youth levels from under-18, 19 and 20, turned down a new deal with the Gunners to pursue first-team football.
Edwards said: “He’s a really exciting addition to the group, 19 years old, great upbringing at Tottenham and Arsenal, he’s been in the England set-us all the way to the U20s as well.
“He’s a fantastic athlete, someone who’s good with the ball as well, really good person, he’s got a great support network around him, a really good family, and it’s amazing that he’s chosen us, as well as us choosing him.
“He had a lot of good options out there and he feels we’re the right club, the right fit now, for the next stage of his journey, he’s really keen to progress, he wants to play first team football, and we feel at this club he can get that opportunity, of course he’s got to earn it, there’s no guarantee with anybody, but he’s a really exciting season.
“He’ll come into the first team squad, I think like all of our younger players, they’re all going to develop and hopefully keep improving, but he’ll have opportunities in pre-season, we’ll see where he’s at, I don’t want to put any pressure on him as he’s a young player, but a really exciting signing.”
With the departure of Gabriel Osho confirmed with the defender’s move to French Ligue 1 outfit Auxerre, Edwards said of Walters: “He can play in a number of positions – right-back, right centre-back, right wing-back – and he’d be able to do the middle as well. He’s got lots of strings to his bow.
“He’s a young player, so there is no pressure. But we see him as someone who could potentially make an impact this season and I really hope he does. We’re looking forward to getting to working with him.”
