Tom Lockyer issues emotional message after shock Luton Town exit
Tom Lockyer has shared an emotional message following a surprise Luton Town departure.
The Wales international made 115 appearances for the Hatters after joining from Charlton Athletic in August 2020.
But having played for Luton in both the Championship and the Premier League, Lockyer was not handed a fresh contract after his previous deal expired at the end of last season.
The 30-year-old did not make another appearance for the Bedfordshire side after suffering cardiac arrest during a Premier League clash with Bournemouth in December 2023.
Lockyer shares emotional tribute as Carlton Morris leaves Luton
After enduring successive relegations from the Premier League to League One, the Hatters are vying to secure a second-tier return next term.
But amid Matt Bloomfield’s efforts to steer his side to promotion, Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Sheffield United, Leicester, and Middlesbrough want to sign Luton forward Millenic Alli.
Meanwhile, fellow striker Carlton Morris left the Hatters in favour of Championship side Derby County on Thursday, 26 June.
The 29-year-old fired Luton to the Premier League by scoring 20 goals in the 2022/23 Championship season before going on to notch double figures in the top flight.
However, Morris’ return of eight goals in the second tier last term wasn’t enough to prevent relegation to League One.
Following the striker’s departure, Lockyer posted on Instagram [29 June]: “One of the best” alongside an orange heart emoji.
Morris will succeed at Derby County
Football Insider verdict
Amid Luton’s relegation struggles last season, Morris failed to perform at his best, scoring just eight goals in 41 Championship appearances.
| Carlton Morris stats | Championship 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 2 |
But the former Barnsley man has previously demonstrated his attacking credentials in the second tier and played a key role in the Hatters’ unlikely promotion-winning campaign.
He then went on to score 11 goals in the Premier League, which was no mean feat for a Luton side who struggled to adjust to the demands of the top flight.
Following his largely successful spell with the Hatters, Morris should be able to thrive at Derby under the impressive stewardship of John Eustace.
In each of the last two Championship seasons, Eustace has kept both Blackburn Rovers and the Rams in the Championship after inheriting a previously struggling squad.
The former Birmingham City boss also performed admirably well to steer Blackburn to playoff contention despite the Venky’s troubling ownership.
A successful Championship manager such as Eustace should face no difficulty in getting Morris on the scoresheet regularly.