Luton Town have announced the signing of England international and former Tottenham Hotspur attacker Andros Townsend on a short-term contract.
The 32-year-old - who was a free agent after leaving Everton upon the expiration of his contract in July - has joined the Hatters on a three-month deal until the end of January.
Following his release from Goodison Park, Townsend came close to joining newly-promoted Burnley before a deal collapsed, which the winger admitted reduced him to tears.
However, Luton welcomed Townsend to Kenilworth Road for trials earlier this month, and the Englishman has now earned a contract with Rob Edwards's side for the winter period.
"I feel like it's a good fit and these last couple of weeks have been good for both parties. I think it had to be right and I feel over the last two weeks we've had a look at each other and done that," Townsend told the official Luton Town website.
"I've seen where I can help this team and on the flipside the manager has seen where I can help – whether that's on the pitch, in the dressing room or on the training field – with my enthusiasm and experience.
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"Plus, Luton are my local team – I live 20-25 minutes away so I've kept my eye on their progress and watching the Championship play-off final and see them win promotion was great for the club.
"I never thought I'd pull on the Luton shirt, so it's a huge honour to play again in the Premier League for this club, and hopefully get help this club get as many points as we can and see where it takes us."
Manager Edwards hailed Townsend's "impeccable" attitude since being invited to train with the club, adding: "Andros has undoubted Premier League quality, which he has shown in this league and on the international stage. Of course, he has had a difficult period with injury through no fault of his own – and we wouldn't be able to sign him if he'd had played in the last 18 months.
"However, we're in a position to help each other: he can come in and give everything, bring out those technical qualities to help us and we can give him a platform to show everyone what he's all about.
"He adds more competition at the top end of the pitch – an area we know at this level you need to come out on top in that battle. He's also got that bit of magic and hopefully we can get the most out of him.
"He's been brilliant and his attitude has been phenomenal. He's a humble, hard-working individual that we will benefit from having at the training ground on a weekly basis. Young players are going to look up to him and think 'they are the standards I need to be at'. He's been impeccable.
Welcome @andros_townsend! ✍️
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) October 11, 2023
"On the playing side, we want him to affect what we're doing but we're not going to put pressure on him. We won't ask for too much too soon.
"He's fit, naturally fit. But then there's being Premier League fit and being able to come on and affect games. So the next step will be a plan for that. But we're delighted to have him. We hope he can make a positive impact – and we don't see why he won't."
Townsend - who will wear the number 30 shirt for Luton - came through the Tottenham youth academy and represented the North London giants on 87 occasions, scoring nine goals and providing 13 assists.
The winger was sold to Newcastle United in January 2016 but left to join Crystal Palace that same summer following the Magpies' relegation, and he made a name for himself at Selhurst Park with 16 goals and 28 assists from 185 appearances in all tournaments.
Townsend was awarded the 2018-19 Premier League Goal of the Season prize for an astonishing 30-yard volley in a 3-2 win over Manchester City, before scoring seven goals in 27 appearances during a two-year spell with Everton between 2021 and 2023, but he did not play a single senior game last term due to an ACL injury.
The 32-year-old also has three goals to show from 13 outings in an England shirt since making his debut in 2013, but he has not represented the Three Lions since November 2016.
Luton are back in action away to Nottingham Forest on October 21 following the international break, but it remains to be seen whether Townsend will be considered for his debut at the City Ground as he builds his fitness back up.
Ben Knapton
