Luton Town manager Matt Bloomfield has hailed the return of Kal Naismith, praising the defender’s deep connection to the club and his ability to reinvigorate the squad as he rejoins the Hatters on loan from Bristol City until the end of the season.
The 32-year-old first joined Town in January 2021 and went on to make 45 appearances before moving Bristol City in the summer of 2022 having played a part in Luton’s push to a sixth-place Championship finish during the 2021/22 campaign, when he scored a memorable last-minute winner against Bournemouth.
Naismith’s move to Ashton gate was initially marred by Luton saying in a statement that it was ‘without advance warning as is the usual etiquette’ from City, with the defender announced as a Robins player in May 2022 before his Hatters contract had officially expired. But then Luton manager at the time, Nathan Jones, said in that June that Town couldn’t compete with the contact Bristol offered the defender.
That month, Naismith told Bristol Live that leaving the Hatters “was tough”, adding: “Luton were unbelievable for my career, the manager was absolutely brilliant, he was amazing – I can’t thank that club enough. Honestly, I will always love everyone at that club.”
The defender, who hasn’t played since November 5 and has only made seven appearances for the Robins this term, returns to Kenilworth Road with the Hatters languishing in the Championship relegation zone, three points from safety.
Naismith becomes Bloomfield’s first signing as manager, and the first new addition since chief executive Gary Sweet said that the club would be “aggressive” in this month’s transfer window.
The new Town boss is enthusiastic about the Scot’s return, highlighting the defender’s popularity among both players and staff.
“The amount of smiles and hugs he got this morning walking through the door tells you how popular he was, and still is,” Bloomfield told the club’s website, adding: “He knows the club inside out, and that authenticity and what we stand for as a football club has to remain.
“I find it a big responsibility for myself to keep that Luton character and Kal knows the building, everyone knows Kal, they know what he stands for, they know what he’s going to bring.”
Bloomfield described Naismith as a “dominant defender, a leader, and a character” who will give the team balance with his left foot and composure on the ball.
“He’s someone I’ve admired for years, and when I heard he was available, we moved quickly. He’s highly regarded throughout the game, and his versatility makes him invaluable to us,” said Bloomfield, who must try to find solutions to Luton’s leaky defence.
For his part, Naismith expressed excitement about returning to the club that awarded him Player of the Season before his departure.
“I couldn’t have loved my time here before any more,” the defender said. “It’s not often people get second chances, but I’m back to have a positive impact on the team between now and the end of the season.”
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