Player sold by Newcastle United for £13m joins Premier League club - 40 days after deadline

Former Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend has completed a move to Premier League newcomers Luton Town.

The 13-capped England international has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of his contract in the summer. Townsend trained & played for Burnley in pre-season and was offered a contract before Vincent Kompany’s side had a change of heart.

Fourty days have passed since the summer transfer window in England shut but the 32-year-old has been handed a lifeline by the Hatters - signing a short-term deal until January.

Townsend, who will wear squad number 30, said: “I feel like it’s a good fit and these last couple of weeks have been good for both parties. I think it had to be right and I feel over the last two weeks we’ve had a look at each other and done that.

“I’ve seen where I can help this team and on the flipside the manager has seen where I can help – whether that’s on the pitch, in the dressing room or on the training field – with my enthusiasm and experience.

“Plus, Luton are my local team – I live 20-25 minutes away so I’ve kept my eye on their progress and watching the Championship play-off final and see them win promotion was great for the club.

“I never thought I’d pull on the Luton shirt, so it’s a huge honour to play again in the Premier League for this club, and hopefully get help this club get as many points as we can and see where it takes us.”

Townsend started his career at Tottenham Hotspur and made 93 appearances before making the switch to Newcastle in January 2016 for £12million.

Whilst he impressed at St James’ Park - scoring four times in 13 games - his stay was shortlived after he opted to join Crystal Palace following United’s relegation from the Premier League.

Townsend was close to returning to Tyneside six months later but then Magpies owner Mike Ashley refused to sanction the deal. Townsend spent five years at Selhurst Park and was just 15 appearances shy of reaching 200.

The player then reunited with former boss Rafa Benitez in 2021 after becoming a free agent. He appeared 27 times before his career at Goodison Park was cut short because of a knee injury.