Luton Town close in on ex-Derby County midfielder

Luton Town are in advanced talks to agree a deal for free agent Louie Watson, as per a report from Football Insider, following the 21-year-old's Derby County departure.

The midfielder, who featured four times in the Championship last season, saw his contract at Pride Park expire yesterday, emerging as one of 16 first-teamers for the relegated club to depart on a free.

Nathan Jones' side will be eager to better last season's sixth-placed finish when the new campaign gets underway later this month, with the Hatters improving their position on the Football League pyramid for six successive campaigns.

Born in Croydon, Watson progressed through the academy ranks at West Ham United, before a permanent move to Derby County was sanctioned in October 2020.

Initially linking up with the U23s, Watson went on to make his first-team debut in December 2020, advancing to feature nine times in the league that season.

Going on to make a further six appearances within the senior set up during the last campaign, the young midfielder has proven to be a versatile option, operating on both wings, as an attacking midfielder and in holding roles within the first-team and the U23s.

A Luton perspective

It will be interesting to see, if this move materialises, what the immediate future would look like for the former Derby midfielder.

Comments from Derby fans suggest that Watson is an exciting talent, who has now racked up some Championship experience, something that could warrant first-team football.

Perhaps an immediate loan to bridge the gap from fairly irregular first-team football, to where Luton are at currently, could be a sensible option too.

On the flip side of things, Nathan Jones recently spoke to Luton Today about adding two new midfielders to bolster his first-team squad, which could therefore indicate that the plan will be to integrate the 21-year-old into the senior set up at Kenilworth Road.