Ross Barkley was released by Ligue 1 club Nice this summer after one season; the 29-year-old midfielder shone at Everton, earning an England call-up before moving to Chelsea in 2018: Luton face Brighton on Saturday in their first top-flight fixture since 1992..
Luton Town have signed former Everton, Chelsea and England midfielder Ross Barkley on a free transfer.
Barkley was released by Nice this summer after one season at the Ligue 1 club following his departure from Chelsea by mutual consent.
The 29-year-old said: “Why Luton? Going from the Conference to the Premier League is a great story and for me personally to be back in the Premier League, it’s great motivation.
I’m still relatively young and over the last couple of years I’ve not played as much as I’d have liked.
“But I’ve reserved a lot of energy and looked after myself, so it’s great to be here now as I’ve got a lot to show but I’m ready and feeling motivated.”
Barkley – who played for England at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and also had a loan spell at Aston Villa – could make his debut for the Hatters in their opening Premier League match at Brighton on Saturday.
He began his career at Everton, making 150 Premier League appearances for the club and scoring 21 goals before moving to Chelsea in 2018 on a five-and-a-half-year deal worth £15m, but struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
Luton manager Rob Edwards is confident Barkley, capped 33 times for England, can bring something different to his squad as they embark on a first top-flight campaign since 1992 after winning the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
“Ross brings loads of experience at the top level, has international experience and brings an X-factor,” Edwards said.
“He gives us something different, he has that ability to make something out of nothing and we need that in the Premier League. He’s got all the tools required to make a difference for us.
“It’s really exciting for the football club. We want the fans to be excited and they should be about Ross’ arrival.”
Luton Town’s return to the top flight sees them take on Brighton at the Amex in their opening Saturday of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The Hatters host Arsenal and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road at the start of December, while that month then ends with the visit of Chelsea.
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