DONE DEAL: The promoted Premier League team Luton has acquired a former England midfielder on a free transfer who has exceptional technique and passing range.

 who has played in the English top flight for both Everton and Chelsea, spent last season in France with Ligue 1 club Nice after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent.

Now the 29-year-old Barkley — who played for England at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and also had a loan spell at Aston Villa — could make his Luton debut in their opening Premier League match at Brighton on Saturday.

“Why Luton? Going from the Conference to the Premier League is a great story and for me personally to be back in the Premier League, it’s great motivation,” Barkley told his new club’s website.

“I’m still relatively young and over the last couple of years I’ve not played as much as I’d have liked.

“But I’ve reserved a lot of energy and looked after myself, so it’s great to be here now as I’ve got a lot to show but I’m ready and feeling motivated.”

Luton manager Rob Edwards, whose side booked their place in the Premer League with victory in the Championship play-off final, believes Barkley will be a valuable addition to the Hatters’ squad.

“Ross brings loads of experience at the top level, has international experience and brings an X-factor,” Edwards said.

“He gives us something different, he has that ability to make something out of nothing and we need that in the Premier League. He’s got all the tools required to make a difference for us.”

REAL MORE:

The interest then faded somewhat after those initial reports, with Alan Nixon then reporting via Patreon that Luton were back in for Rovers’ goalkeeper Kaminski, having failed to land him earlier in the summer with a low-ball bid.

He stated that the Hatters were willing to pay £2.5 million for the Belgian and talks were reaching a conclusion between all parties.

It took multiple bids to attain Kaminski’s services, with Alan Myers of Sky Sports reporting that Blackburn turned down a third bid for Kaminski’s services from Luton this summer in the £2.5 million region, and that they want at least £3 million for their 2020/2021 Player of the Season.

Then, according to The Athletic, Luton have finally agreed a fee in the region of £2.5million plus some extra add-ons for Kaminski’s signing. The Belgian then moved to Kenilworth Road ahead of the new Premier League season.