Departing Luton keeper Harry Isted has hailed the impact the Hatters had on him and insisted Premier League club’s will be in for a shock when the come to Kenilworth Road.
The end of the 26-year-old’s six-year spell was confirmed earlier this month when he was one of three players to be released, along with Sonny Bradley and Henri Lansbury, having spent the second half of the season at League One Barnsley.
Isted was expected to sign permanently for the Tykes after suffering last-gasp defeat in the League One play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Luton won their Championship play-off final against Coventry to book a return to the top flight of English football after 31 years away.
Isted he will become a Charlton Athletic player when his Luton contract expires at the end of this month after penning a two-year deal with the option of the third year.
In a departing message to the Hatters, Isted wrote on Twitter: ‘Luton Town, Wow what a journey this last six years has been. From joining in League Two, winning back to back promotion, and finally to the club gaining promotion to the Premier League.
‘I would just like to thank everybody who is part of this incredible football club. It has been an honour to represent you and has shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve made friends and memories that’ll last a lifetime!
‘Can’t wait to get down to The Kenny and watch a few games under the lights with the place absolutely rocking! The Premier League won’t know what’s hit them. All the best Hatters’.
Isted switched from Stoke to Luton in the summer of 2017, but was largely third choice keeper, eventually making his debut against Chelsea in last year’s FA Cup, drawing huge praise for his cameo performance, after replacing injured loan stopper Jed Steer.
He may have played more for Town but the club were forced to sign Matt Ingram from Hull City as an emergency loan, who had to be picked due to laws around such signings. And having spent loan spells with Chesham United, Oxford City, Wealdstone, he went to Barnsley, where he became first-choice keeper, making 22 consecutive starts.
Talking of becoming Dean Holden’s first summer signing for the Addicks, Isted told the Charlton website: “It feels great to be a Charlton player. The manager rang me and told me he wanted to bring me in and sold the club to me well, which was a big reason why I made the decision to come here.”
Holden is thrilled to secure Isted’s services. He added: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to bring Harry in. He’s an excellent all-round goalkeeper. He was very impressive at Barnsley last season, culminating in that eye-catching performance in the play-off final at Wembley.
“Successful sides are built in competition for places and players driving each other to improve. With him and Ash we have two very talented goalkeepers and I’m looking forward to working with them both.”
