LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Luton Town fans show their support prior to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Coventry City and Luton Town at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
In contrast to Burnley and Sheffield United, the Hatters have endured a series of initial trials and tribulations back in the Championship despite appearing to be in the best health of all three relegated sides only a few months prior.
At the time of writing, Luton find themselves situated in 23rd position after four outings, none of which have returned three points. Indeed, they are one of just four teams yet to win any of their opening matches and have scored on merely two occasions, ringing early alarm bells at Kenilworth Road.
Barring the arrival of Mark McGuiness from Championship rivals Cardiff City – the only team below them in the division, for what it’s worth – in a deal which could reportedly rise to £10m, Luton’s summer transfer window was largely quiet and outgoings were limited too, with the most notable departures represented in Ross Barkley and Chiedozie Ogbene to Aston Villa and Ipswich Town respectively.
However, Rob Edwards’ side have decided to exploit the free agent market by striking a shock deal for Victor Moses, who counts the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan among his former clubs.
Luton Town sign ex-Chelsea star Victor Moses on free transfer
The Hatters’ latest deal came largely out of the blue, with no prior suggestion of the move. It has since emerged that Moses turned out for Luton in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly fixture ahead of signing for the club on a free transfer following his departure from Russian side Spartak Moscow earlier in the summer.
Moses himself spoke of being captivated by Luton’s vision and intent amid continental offers, while Edwards cited the player’s commitment, pedigree and quality as key reasons behind their decision to pull off the surprising capture when speaking to the club’s official website.
As of yet, Moses’ contract length in Hertfordshire remains unclear.
It is likely that the 33-year-old utility player will provide a direct replacement for the aforementioned Ogbene, given his existing familiarity with operating in a right-sided wing-back role after doing so with great aplomb at Chelsea.
Luton Town’s shock Victor Moses transfer gamble could be Ross Barkley 2.0
Championship supporters routinely urge their clubs to consider free agent swoops following the conclusion of transfer windows – sometimes more as an act of desperation than anything else – but nobody could have predicted this one.
Moses possesses an outstanding footballing CV, which has accumulated close to 550 appearances across spells with Crystal Palace, Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham United, Fenerbache, Inter and, most recently, Russia’s capital club.
A two-time UEFA Europa League champion, Moses has also earned 38 caps for Nigeria and lifted both the Premier League and the FA Cup during his eight-year career at Stamford Bridge.
Though large parts of his stay with Chelsea were spent out on loan, Moses was a revelation in Antonio Conte’s fluid wing-back system during the 2016/17 campaign, when they finished as top-flight champions.
