LUTON SIGN ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA ON LOAN FROM ARSENAL ON DEADLINE DAY
Luton Town announced the signing of midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan from Arsenal on a deadline day deal.
The 23-year-old Belgian was announced as a Luton signing shortly after the club’s Premier League game against West Ham United, with Lokonga becoming Luton’s 12th new signing of a busy transfer window.
The midfielder had joined Arsenal from Belgian side Anderlecht in 2021 for an undisclosed fee reported to be in excess of £17million.
Lokonga has made 39 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, appearing in 19 games in his first Premier League season and playing as a regular in the Europa League last season. He also spent the second half of last season on loan with Crystal Palace.
Luton Town boss Rob Edwards told the club’s official website that he found him an exciting signing that would bring some Premier League experience.
He said, “It’s an exciting signing, he comes with lots of Premier League experience and has brilliant pedigree. I met him and had a really good chat, he’s hungry and wants to play football.
“He knows and understands what we are about, he believes that he can help us and I think it’s a really good fit.
“Another player for our squad who has Premier League quality, we’ll get him now for two weeks during the international break for him to bed in and I’m excited to have him.
“He’s a midfielder who really looks after the ball, he gives us stability to play in a double pivot if needed, but he can also run on and play as a number eight.
“He’ll give us more control in the middle of the pitch during certain moments of games, but he’s someone who hopefully we can help develop as well.”
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West Ham United Ruin Luton Town’s Homecoming To Go Top Of Premier League
West Ham ruined Luton’s homecoming to Kenilworth Road as David Moyes’ men moved to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win on Friday
But on the field, Luton are struggling to come to terms with the leap in quality as they remain without a point after three games.
West Ham, by contrast, are flying despite the loss of former captain Declan Rice to Arsenal for an initial 100 million pounds.
Jarrod Bowen scored the winner as the Hammers claimed their first trophy in 43 years by lifting the Europa Conference League in June.
The England international has kicked on to start the new campaign in fine form as he became the first West Ham player to score in three consecutive top-flight away games in nearly 100 years.
Bowen was picked out by Lucas Paqueta’s teasing cross eight minutes before half-time and his header from close range had too much power for Thomas Kaminski.
The visitors had a second goal after the break narrowly ruled out for offside as Emerson fired home from Michail Antonio’s lay-off.
James Ward-Prowse’s impressive start to his West Ham career has masked the departure of Rice.
The former Southampton skipper now has a goal and three assists in three appearances as his corner was powerfully headed in by Kurt Zouma five minutes from time.
Luton had failed to muster a single shot on target until stoppage time, but set up a grandstand finish when Mads Andersen headed in their first Premier League goal from open play.
Ward-Prowse then escaped huge shouts for a Luton penalty when a corner came off the midfielder’s arm.
But West Ham held on to move one point ahead of Manchester City at the summit ahead of the champions’ clash with Fulham on Saturday.
