John McAtee: Luton Town sign Grimsby Town forward and loan him back to Mariners

John McAtee's goal at the London Stadium helped Grimsby beat Solihull Moors and regain their place in the EFL

Luton Town have signed Grimsby forward John McAtee for an undisclosed fee and loaned him back to the League Two club for the rest of the season.

The 23-year-old scored 14 goals in 37 National League games last season - including one in the play-off final as the Mariners won promotion.

"I want to get more game time so when I'm back here next year, I'm ready to go," McAtee told the Luton website.

Luton have also signed striker Bim Pepple from Canadian side Cavalry FC.

The 19-year-old was born in Northamptonshire and had trials with Leicester and Sheffield United last year, having spent most of the past 14 years on the other side of the Atlantic.

He was the Canadian Premier League's player of the month for June after scoring in five successive games and Hatters boss Nathan Jones said: "He's a real good blank canvas to develop into our next Elijah [Adebayo], our next Cameron Jerome, our next Carlton Morris."

Luton have not disclosed details of either player's contract, but they have also paid an undisclosed fee for Pepple.

Grimsby chairman Jason Stockwood said having McAtee back on loan this season was a "big incentive" in them agreeing to the move.

"We obviously really wanted to keep John at Grimsby Town and we offered him a new deal in the close season to get him on a longer contract," he continued.

"We knew there was a good chance we'd probably end up losing John on a free at the end of the season, and so at least by letting him go now, the club has been able to benefit from his transfer."

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