Luton Town

Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town, external

Ah transfer deadline day! One of the high holy days of the footballing calendar.

As a Luton fan this day used to fill me with dread. Back in the conference days, with transfer wheeling and dealing bringing such esteemed players like Collin Samuel. who has since gone down in Luton folklore brought in on deadline day but only make one appearance.

However, compared to how deadline day used to be, our dealings now are of such a standard, it has Hatters constantly excited to see what we can pull off.

Last season our deadline deals saw Marvelous Nakamba and Cody Drameh come in. These two players who I originally expected to be the difference between getting into the playoffs and missing out. Instead they ended up being the difference between getting promoted or missing out.

This season, I cannot see too much movement. We have added Japan international Daiki Hashioka to give us depth for both wing-back positions as well as an option in defence.

The likelihood is we will see no more than two other players joining, one development player and one more for the first team, potentially to cover for Tom Lockyer, or provide an additional option further forward.

The squad is now in a really good place and is 98% there. We have the right amount of depth and a team that is hitting its stride, unbeaten in five matches. The reality is, Luton Town did their most important business in the summer window.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from the eight Premier League matches played over Tueday and Wednesday.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal

• Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle

• Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

• Manchester City 3-1 Burnley

On Wednesday, we asked you what Luton's ideal final day of business in the January transfer window would look like.

Here is a selection of your responses:

Sue: Why would you want too many changes? What difference will the changes make? We are performing as a team and getting great results without massive spending or big names coming in on loan. Big Mick [Harford] and the team know what they're doing, it’s working. The Town are staying up - you better believe it.

Justin: I'm happy with the overall make up of our squad and I have great trust in the scouting that has been done so far. I don't know anything about Japanese international Daiki Hashioka, but I trust big Mick's instincts implicitly. He hasn't got much wrong.

Nick: We could do with another central midfielder as it doesn't seem like Marvelous Nakamba is likely to play again this season. We should also recall Joe Taylor if we're going to play two up front, which I think we should.

Whether it turns out to be a day of high drama or a pretty quiet one for your club, you can rarely take your eye off transfer deadline day.

Are you hoping for a rush of late deals or expecting a relaxed one?

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

When does the transfer window close?

The transfer window will close at 23:00 GMT on Thursday for the Premier League and English Football League, while in Scotland, the window will shut 30 minutes later at 23:30.

Across Europe, the Bundesliga window will close at 17:00, Serie A at 19:00, Ligue 1 at 22:00 and La Liga at 23:00 - but the Women's Super League transfer window already closed on Wednesday night.

The transfer window for the Saudi Pro League, where a number of high-profile Premier League players moved in the summer, closed on 30 January.

Can a Premier League player signed on deadline day play this weekend?

Under league rules, new signings are eligible for the next Premier League game if the club submit the required documents by midday on the last working day before that match.

Where can I see all the confirmed transfer deals on deadline day?

You can find all the deals completed on transfer deadline day within our dedicated confirmed transfers page.

What is the story so far?

Only 15 players have been signed by Premier League clubs in January, with 10 permanent transfers, five loan deals and disclosed fees of about £50m.

It is a far cry from the past three transfer windows - January 2023 and the summers of 2022 and 2023 - which each set Premier League spending records.

At the same point last year, on the eve of deadline day, there had been 38 transfers worth about £550m - 10 times this year's amount.

How can I follow transfer deadline day on the BBC?

From 07:00 on Thursday, we will have a page dedicated to all the latest transfer news, reaction and analysis. You cannot miss it as it will be the first thing you see on our football website.

Your Premier League club's page will have all the latest transfers for your team in one place.

You will also find regular updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and breaking news across BBC Sport's social media channels, including X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

There will also be a special edition of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button from 22:00 until 23:30.

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

So far, it's been one in and one out at Kenilworth Road.

Arriving at Luton Town - the Japan international full-back Daishi Hashioka. He's a right-sided defender and will add competition to Issa Kabore and Chiedozie Ogbene at right wing-back.

The one who has departed is Ryan Giles - the left-sided defender who just could not get it to work at Luton. He has joined Hull on loan with a view to a move, and the Hatters should recoup the money they spent on him in the summer.

It does leave the team slightly short on the left side of defence compared to the right, although Amari'i Bell could fill in there. However, he is playing his best football as a left-sided centre back at the moment, so the Hatters might still want some cover in that position.

The only other area where Luton may look to the market is for a central defensive midfielder with Marvellous Nakamba set to remain out for a few more months yet. The Hatters do have cover in midfield but not a specialist number six.

Otherwise, Rob Edwards seems happy with his current squad and he should be. He does not want to unsettle what is a really tight group and some of the squad players are having more of an influence when they are being used or when they come on as substitutes.

There is no need for Luton to spend big in January and they can wait until summer to decide on transfer policy depending on Premier League survival. Last summer's transfer activity was so impressive that fans will be happy to wait for a repeat of the likes of bargains such as Teden Mengi, Ogbene and Ross Barkley.

The squad will not look too different for the long trip to Newcastle on Saturday and, given the way Luton played against Brighton in the week, nor does it need to.

Commentary on Newcastle United v Luton Town on BBC Three Counties Radio and online via BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin, writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter:

This feels like it has been the quietest Premier League transfer window ever. There is still a day to go and, in the past, huge deals have been done right up to the deadline, but it will not suddenly become a free-for-all this time. The question is: why?

Are all the clubs and their managers deeply satisfied with their well-balanced and over-performing squads? I hardly think so. Have all the coaches suddenly decided that they really want to work more with the youngsters coming through, rather than get a ready-made striker in the morning? Probably not.

Have the big clubs suddenly got sensible and concluded that it is silly spending hundreds of millions of pounds on players, destroying any possible company profits and yet still having no certainty of success at the end of it? This thought might have crossed a few minds.

There is always the possibility that some clubs got the fright of their lives after Everton’s 10-point deduction. Have they finally realised that some of the very complicated and fancy financial and accountancy sleights of hand might not bamboozle the Premier League after all?

Some clubs have spent huge sums and are now quietly trying to sell players to make the books balance.

Does it not smack of just the vaguest possibility of a chance that there might have just been a bit of blustering, self-indulgent financial mismanagement by the owners of some of the top clubs? Surely not - these Masters of the Universe always know what they are doing and understand finance so much better than the rest of us.

I remember listening to a hugely successful banker once braying on to me about how they knew best. I think he was from an organisation called Lehman Brothers.

As deadline day looms, we want to know what your ideal final day of transfer business would look like for Luton Town.

Do the Hatters need to make any signings? If so, who should they look to bring in? And does anyone need to be offloaded?

Let us know your views here

We asked you for your thoughts on Tuesday's match between Luton Town and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Luton fans

Andrew: When Lockyer walked out before kick-off, I knew something special was going to happen. That result was incredible. What a game, what a team, what a club. Any team with 25 points or less are now facing potential relegation because Luton are staying up.

David: Phenomenal display! Brighton were forced into error after error. The sheer volume of noise generated by the crowd clearly discomforted Brighton. Most Premier League grounds generate such little atmosphere.

Ross: As a Luton fan, that is a result beyond our wildest dreams. We’ve been so unfortunate against the big teams, so to come out and produce a performance like that is incredibly special. Brighton never came close to scoring even when chasing the game.

Rob: I hope teams, fans and pundits will take us seriously now. We absolutely dismantled Brighton. This is such a special club. Six of the starting 11 joined the club on free transfers, including Ross Barkley. What a team, what a club!

Brighton fans

Nicolas: The performance was shocking. They looked like they were playing in my local Sunday league. We were trying to play the long ball sometimes, I don’t know why, and the passing was horrible. This reminds me of Villa Park away. Hopefully it’s just a one off and Brighton can go back to their peak.

Steve: Loss of all composure. Sure, 2-0 down inside three minutes doesn't help, and Luton pressed hard, but so have other teams and we have overcome that tactic. Let's just say 'bad day at the office' and move on. Nothing needs to change.

Noddy: Well that was fun, wasn't it! Brighton haven't played like that since being in League Two. It was just a bad day at the office for them. When we play a cup game, the game immediately after we just can't seem to get it together. I'm just looking forward to doing one over Palace at the weekend.

Robin: Having supported Brighton for 60 years, the time under Roberto de Zerbi has been without doubt the most enjoyable. Win lose or draw, it's generally always entertaining. If you said Brighton were in the top half of the Premier League, last 16 in the Europa League after a 140-mile round trip to Gillingham, I would've said don’t be silly. So, the odd silly result is OK.

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards feels his side are "growing up in the league" after their 4-0 win over Brighton took them out of the relegation zone.

The Hatters now sit 17th, one point above Everton in the table, and the impressive victory over the Seagulls came despite missing a number of players.

"This is the value of the squad. This is why we train hard and everyone needs to be ready and understand how we play and what we do, because we’re going to need to the squad, we have said that all season long and that is always going to the case," Edwards said to BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Whoever comes in always gives absolutely everything and we trust all of them, that's the great thing about this group and this squad.

"It's been a really great night [against Brighton] and I think we've been building this momentum for a really long time. We know we're still going to have difficult moments and difficult periods but we're giving ourselves a chance.

"We know our way of playing, we've really built and evolved nicely into the league and I think we're growing and growing up in the league really quickly."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Reuters

Luton striker Elijah Adebayo has a "high ceiling" and "can go a long way" if he continues to build on a positive start to his Premier League career, says Hatters manager Rob Edwards.

The former Walsall forward, 26, had not made a top-flight appearance prior to this season and his hat-trick in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over Brighton took his tally of league goals this term to eight.

"He's become more reliable without the ball," said Edwards. "His work rate has always been great but he's seeing how important it is to press hard, press the goalkeeper, press his man. He does that tirelessly.

"He's going to be really difficult to play against. He can defend set-pieces, he's a threat in the six-yard box and he's scoring some goals.

"He's progressing really well. He's got a really high ceiling. If he stays focused and keeps working hard, he can go a long way and have a really good career."

Image source, Getty Images

Luton manager Rob Edwards, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "All of it was pretty good from start to finish.

"We’ve done that to quite a few teams. It’s how we play. With a result and performance like this, a few people might take notice of it a little bit more.

"I feel, we feel, the best way for us to go in this league is to attack.

"We’re going to keep driving [the players]. There were bits where we were sloppy. We have to keep our foot down. We can't afford to stop because we’re not good enough to do that."

On Elijah Adebayo scoring a hat-trick, he said: "I'm delighted for Elijah. He’s a very difficult player to play against. We're very thankful that we’ve got him, but there were several good performances out there tonight."

On Tom Lockyer's pre-match appearance, Edwards added: "It was great to see. It's really important for the supporters to see as well. It probably helped getting five or 10% out of the crowd at the start."

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town striker Elijah Adebayo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It’s a fantastic night. This group is special. I’m delighted with how everyone performed tonight.

"I could go through the whole team, everyone that’s been a part of this journey – including Locks, who was here tonight. The whole 11 was fantastic, and the subs that came on.

"The gaffer said we need to start sharply and get the first goal. From then it’s always going to be difficult to carry on, but credit to the lads for doing that. It was just about getting more [goals] and making it a comfortable night.

"Through my whole career, you dream of nights like this when playing non-league. For many of us who have been on such a journey, we thrive and wish for nights like this. I couldn’t be happier for the group of lads that are in there, who have been on an incredible journey."

Image source, Getty Images

Matthew Howarth, BBC Sport

Before Tuesday's contest, Luton manager Rob Edwards said his team had "evolved" since losing 4-1 at Brighton in their Premier League opener back in August.

How much they have improved became clear with just two minutes and 17 seconds on the clock at Kenilworth Road.

Elijah Adebayo gave the Hatters the lead after just 18 seconds, and there was exasperation bordering on disbelief from the Luton supporters when Chiedozie Ogbene made it 2-0 less than two minutes later.

Luton's physicality and intensity was too much for their shell-shocked opponents, and had it not been for the linesman's flag and some smart goalkeeping from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, they could have won by five or six.

On a night of numerous outstanding performances, Adebayo was the Luton hero as he became the first Luton player to score a top-flight hat-trick since Lars Elstrup against Norwich City in September 1990.

Luton have a lot more work to do to secure top-flight survival, but this result suggests they have what it takes to confound pre-season predictions and fend off relegation.

• Luton Town went 2-0 ahead against Brighton after two minutes and 17 seconds; only Leicester City against Derby County in April 1998 have been two goals ahead earlier in a Premier League game (opening two minutes).

• Brighton are without a win in their last five Premier League away games after drawing two and losing three, which is their longest such run in the competition since December 2021 under Graham Potter.

• Elijah Adebayo was the first Luton player to score a top-flight hat-trick since Lars Elstrup against Norwich City in September 1990, and the first to do so at Kenilworth Road since Mark Stein against Oxford United in February 1988.

• It is Luton's biggest victory in the top-flight since beating Southampton 6-1 in January 1989.

• Brighton have now failed to score in their last three games in the Premier League, only going on a longer such run in the competition between March and April 2019 under Chris Hughton (six games).

Luton scored twice inside the opening three minutes in a remarkable victory over Brighton which boosts the Hatters' Premier League survival hopes.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Luton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Brighton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are five games being played in the Premier League on Tuesday and we will bring you every moment.

Listen to match commentaries and follow text updates here

All times are GMT

Image source, Getty Images

Luton Town have signed Japan defender Daiki Hashioka from Belgian side Sint-Truiden, subject to a work visa and international clearance.

The 24-year-old will be unveiled to Hatters fans before Tuesday's Premier League match against Brighton at Kenilworth Road.

Speaking to the club's official website, external, Hashioka said "It's always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League. It's physically and technically a top league.

"My strengths are heading, one-versus-one situations and I like to do a lot of running. I've only scored twice this season, but I want to score more. I can't wait to celebrate in front of the Luton supporters."

Hashioka, who has seven caps for his country, will wear the number 27 shirt for the Hatters.

Luton manager Rob Edwards described his new signing as "a versatile defender who can play anywhere along the backline", adding: "Having met him, I know he’s going to fit into the group really, really well.

“He’s got a great attitude and has a real desire to come and play for Luton Town. He understands we've got a good squad, and knows he's got to fight for his opportunity - and he will."