Luton Town chief executive Gary Sweet believes the return of Cauley Woodrow is a demonstration of the remarkable rise of the football club in the time the striker has spent away from Kenilworth Road.
Now 27, the forward had come through the Hatters’ Academy ranks, but in 2011, while the club were in the non-league, he was one of a handful of players young players snapped up by top flight clubs, with the goalscorer going to Fulham.
But in the 11 years that Woodrow has been at the Cottagers and then Barnsley, Town won promotion back to the Football League, scored back-to-back promotions to return to the Championship and then last term narrowly missed out in the play-off semi-finals.
Woodrow has returned for an undisclosed fee, with manager Nathan Jones saying he is a “marquee signing”, but for Sweet the move is a significant milestone in the impressive recent history of the club.
“For us to bring back a player who was always destined to play Premier League football demonstrates how far we’ve come since the Cauley left, but also how we are now perceived,” Sweet told the club’s website.
“For Cauley to be so enthusiastic about returning speaks volumes. He’s a model pro and we’re delighted his signing makes this poignant mark.
“Like all our supporters, we now can’t wait to see him back out there at the Kenny in the Luton Town number ten shirt after all these years away.”
On his return to Luton Woodrow said: “I’m a bit emotional to be back at Luton Town. This is where I started my journey as a professional footballer and Gary Sweet always said that I’d come back and play one day, and today is the day.
“I’m delighted to be here. I’m a local boy and me and my family are really delighted for me to be so close to home. To be playing my football back where it all started, it is great for me.”
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