Cook links up with Jones at Luton

Jordan Cook has rejected the offer to renew his contract at Walsall to join Luton Town’s bid for promotion.

The winger turned down a new one-year deal to move to Kenilworth Road and rejoin a setup headed by Nathan Jones, who coached him as a youth player at Charlton U21s.

Cook flew out to Luton’s pre-season training camp in Hungary to push the move through and joins some familiar faces from his time with the Addicks.

“Nathan kept in touch with me for a while, and I’ve always respected for what he did with me at Charlton, when I came back from injury and I played in his U21s team,” the 26-year-old said.

“They always played really good football and Harty (Paul Hart, now assistant manager at Luton) brought most of those U21s through the youth team, so you just know what you’re getting with them.”

Nathan Jones explained that he hoped Cook could develop on the talent he helped nature earlier in his coaching career.

“Jordan is one I’ve known for a long time and he’s one I never felt fulfilled his true potential at Charlton,” said Jones. “He’s got a lot more to give and hopefully we’ll see that at Luton,” Jones said.

“He’s such a good athlete and a really dangerous player with so much potential, and I’m looking forward to helping bring that out of him.

“He’s also another one who showed such a desire to come here from the moment I first spoke to him, despite having a number of offers from elsewhere.

“It’s another real good acquisition and we’re so pleased to have managed to bring him to the club.” Jones concluded.

Cook, who can play as a winger or striker, made 44 appearances for Walsall last season in their push for promotion and could make his debut for the Hatters when they travel to Plymouth Argyle on 6 August.