Shandon Baptiste is our first summer signing! – Luton Town Football Club

We are delighted to announce the signing of Shandon Baptiste after the expiration of his contract at Brentford.

The 26-year-old midfielder is Rob Edwards’ first signing of the summer ahead of our 2024/25 Championship season.

Baptiste signed for the West London club four-and-a-half years ago from Oxford United, where he made 43 appearances after graduating from their academy.

He was part of the Bees squad that reached the Championship play-off final in 2019/20 and then won promotion a year later.

After overcoming injury battles, he helped Brentford establish themselves in the top division, making 55 Premier League appearances in the last three seasons.

He scored his first top-flight goal against Leeds United in December 2021 before adding to his Premier League tally against ourselves two years later.

Manager Edwards said: “We’re really excited to get Shandon in. I know I always say this about our players, but he’s a great person.

“I’ve had a few chats with him and he was really keen on joining us, it wasn’t a hard sell for me. I think he’s seen from the outside what we’re about and wanted to join and help us.

“He’s such a talented footballer. He’s someone who can take the ball, he can drive past people. I think he’s an exciting player, and technically very good, so we’re looking forward to getting him into the group.

“He’s at a good age, he wants to get back to the Premier League and he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s got a lot of experience, but he’s got something to prove as well, so he’s hungry.

“I’m delighted. It’s a really good bit of business by the club, and that’s what we pride ourselves on, trying to be really clever in the market.

“We bring in good people, good players and there was a lot of interest in Shandon, but he wanted to come to Luton and we’ve beaten a few clubs to him, which is very exciting.”

After completing his medical at The Brache, Shandon said: “I feel like Luton is the right place for me. Watching the club play last season, it was clear that something big was happening here and I want to be a part of it.

“There are good players and a good manager here so I’m hopeful that we can do big things together.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries during my career, but I feel like I’ve passed that now and hopefully I can just look forward to doing great things in the Luton shirt.”

Welcome to Kenilworth Road, Shandon!