Nakamba completes permanent move to Luton Town

Midfielder joins from Aston Villa after helping them achieve promotion to the Premier League

Marvelous Nakamba has sealed a permanent move to Luton Town from Aston Villa.

The Zimbabwe midfielder joined the Hatters on loan in the second half of last season and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League.

“When I joined on loan, I felt love from everyone – the manager, the board, the staff, the players and the fans,” Nakamba said on the club’s official website. “I was welcomed as part of the family and that pushed me to give everything for this club and help achieve the goal we had last season, which we did.

“The fans really welcomed me and made me feel energised and motivated to do well, so it was unbelievable to pay them back in way that we did. To see them at Wembley celebrating brought tears of joy. It was real love.

“Over the summer the manager has been saying ‘you need to be here!’ and I’m so happy, so excited to now be back and ready for the season.”

Manager Rob Edwards added: “As a footballer, he was the glue that knitted us together. He allowed everyone to do their jobs. There were quotes out there last season saying it was like having three of him on the pitch at times – he covered every blade of grass.”

Nakamba’s career

Nakamba made 20 appearances for Luton last season, including the duration of the Championship playoff final victory on penalties against Coventry City.

He joined Aston Villa from Belgian side Club Brugge in 2019 and made 58 appearances in the Premier League, one of only six Zimbabweans to feature in the competition.

The 29-year-old has been capped 26 times by his country.

Nakamba could feature in Luton’s next pre-season friendly, against Sheffield Wednesday on 29 August.

Luton kick off their first-ever Premier League campaign at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 13 August.