Luton Town have announced the shock arrival of ex-Hatter, Kal Naismith, who has bolstered the defensive options for Matt Bloomfield’s side as they look to claw their way to safety.
Naismith was once adored at Kenilworth Road
Kal Naismith returns to Bedfordshire after leaving the Hatters as the club’s Player of the Season, back in 2021/22.
The Scottish defender became somewhat of a fan favourite at Luton, popping up with crucial goals, most notably a 96th minute winner against AFC Bournemouth back in January 2022, a result that helped the Hatters finish just inside the play-off positions.
Much to the surprise of not only Luton Town’s fans, but also their board, a play-off semi-final defeat to Huddersfield was to be Naismith’s last game for the club as the defender agreed a shock switch to Bristol City upon the conclusion of his contract at Kenilworth Road.
The agreement with Bristol City clearly blindsided Luton who, at the time, released a statement expressing their disbelief, stating:
“We were surprised to discover from our fellow Championship club’s announcement, without advance warning as is the usual etiquette, that the 30-year-old has rejected the opportunity of a new contract at Kenilworth Road”.
Naismith’s move to Bristol City, who finished 11 places below Luton Town when a deal was signed, certainly ruffled a few feathers.
In his first statement since joining Luton, Naismith has acknowledged that this return to the Hatters, which is perhaps equally as surprising as his exit, is a golden second chance for the 32-year-old who admitted:
“I’ll give everything, I couldn’t have loved my time here before anymore. It’s not often people get second chances, but I’m back to try and have a positive impact on the team between now and the end of the season”. (Luton Town).
Luton have signed Naismith on loan until the end of the season
Naismith’s return to Luton Town may be permanent, with the Hatters confirming that they have agreed a loan deal until the end of the season with Bristol City.
However, the 32-year-old, who has only racked up 283 minutes of action for Bristol City in the Championship so far this season, will be a free agent in the summer when his contract with the Robins expires – potentially leaving the door ajar for Luton or another club to sign the defender on a more permanent basis.
Upon his exit, Bristol City’s technical director, Brian Tinnon, has explained that Naismith’s departure is due to the Scotsman’s desire for regular minutes, stating:
“Kal is looking for regular minutes and this move will allow him to do that. He has been an excellent professional since joining the club and heads out on loan with our best wishes.” (Bristol City)
Naismith will offer Luton some much-needed defensive strength
Luton Town currently lie 23rd in the Championship, in what has been a turbulent return to the second division since suffering relegation from the Premier League back in May of 2024.
The Hatters appointed former Wycombe manager, Matt Bloomfield, as their new boss in mid-January but are yet to witness a significant upturn in results, intensifying concerns of back-to-back relegations.
Luton’s defence has been a continuous area of weakness that has only been worsened by the injuries the Hatters have suffered with Reece Burke, Teden Mengi and Tom Lockyer all currently sidelined.
Bloomfield will be hoping that the defensive experience of Naismith will help to assure his leaky backline and start a steady ascend up the Championship table, although it will be far from easy with Luton facing Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Sheffield United in their next three league games.
