Premier League strugglers Luton Town have announced the signing of former Tottenham Hotspur and Everton winger Andros Townsend on a short-term deal.
The Hatters have confirmed that the former England international has joined the club on an initial two-and-a-half-month contract until January.
The 32-year-old Leytonstone-born wide-man was released by Everton at the end of his contract over the summer and nearly joined Burnley, who gained promotion alongside Luton from the Championship last season.
Townsend spent the summer on trial with The Clarets and was even offered a contract by Vincent Kompany’s Lancastrians, only for that offer to be rescinded, leaving Townsend in limbo and he has recalled being ‘in tears’ after that happened.
Townsend began his professional career with Tottenham Hotspur after spending nine seasons in the club’s youth system. He had a plethora of loans between 2009 and 2013, though, before establishing himself in the first-team.
He spent time up and down the EFL and the country on loan at Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, Milton Keynes Dons, Ipswich Town, Watford, Millwall, Leeds United, Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers.
He eventually scored 11 goals in 93 appearances for Tottenham before joining Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United in January 2016. After a few months with The Magpies, which ended in relegation, he left for Crystal Palace and became a stalwart at Selhurst Park, making 185 appearances across all competitions for The Eagles.
After the end of his five-year spell in 2021, he joined Everton on a free transfer, reuniting with Rafa Benitez. Townsend had a good start to his career at Goodison Park until an ACL injury in FA Cup quarter-final tie against former club Crystal Palace in March 2022 saw him out of action until the pre-season of 2023, where he trained with Burnley.
Between 2013 and 2016, Townsend played 13 times for the England national side, scoring three goals. He was instrumental in helping England qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and will link up with former England teammate, Ross Barkley, at Kenilworth Road.
