Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu admitted that interest in from other clubs had made it a difficult decision to stay at with the Hatters, but that talking it through with his parents confirmed that Luton was the best place for him.
The midfielder is Town’s current longest serving player having joined the club in the Conference in 2013 and rising through the leagues, racking up 298 appearances.
But the DR Congo international has been out of contract and despite being offered a generous new deal, it looked like his time with the Hatters was at an end, with Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers both reportedly vying for his signature.
Asked if he’d talked to other clubs to weigh up his options, Mpanzu said: “There was interest, saying this, this and that, but I let my agent and my family figure it out. I was just there trying to keep fit.
“I came back from international duty so I had to figure that out first, but once I let all that happen, they said this is what it is and we came to a decision that Luton is the best place for me and here I am.”
A fan favourite, the 27-year-old has made history with Luton as the only Hatter ever to get promoted three times with the club, scoring in four different divisions.
But there appeared to be some general consensus, certainly among supporters on social media, that had he left Mpanzu depart with their blessing, given his length of service.
“Sometimes good things can come to an end, not everything is merry and jerry,” Mpanzu said, adding: “I took it into consideration what they (fans) were saying, I didn’t read everything. Sometimes what they post, you have to be mentally strong.
“I took a decision to remain at Luton, personally I think it is the right decision and hopefully I can move on, get the fans buzzing and hopefully we can start well against Peterborough.”
With the club keen to keep hold of Mpanzu, the contract saga did rumble on, without the midfielder unable to join them from the start of the pre-season campaign.
Asked if returning was a difficult decision, he said: “It always is, that’s why it’s taken so long, it’s not a decision I would have taken lightly.
“Clubs are interested, but I’ve made a decision to stay at Luton, hopefully I can play my best and, whatever we do this season, I know it’s going to be a great season, so it’s good to get it over the road.”
Quizzed over whether there was a time when he thought his Luton spell was coming to an end, Mpanzu said: “You never know, football is a business, you sometimes go, you leave, but, listen, there was times I thought is Luton the right thing for me? But as I made a decision with my mum and my dad, and it was good to hopefully see the fans this season, so it was the correct decision to stay at Luton.
“When you’re at a club like Luton it’s easy to stay, sometimes you think, do what I want to do this? But I’ve been from the Conference with Luton, they’ve made me from a boy to a man, so I’ve got to give them all the praise and all the love.”
Couldn’t agree more. Plenty of competition for him now. Let’s hope he thrives on it.
Best signing of the summer! Genuinely very excited about seeing him in the flesh again. The man gets better every year.
If he’d gone, he’d have gone with full blessings from me. Not cause I’d have wanted him gone, but because of all he has done for the club. A genuine club legend right up there with the best ever in our long history. Here’s to creating even more brilliant memories though Pelly!!!