'Dream come true' as ex-Hatters prospect earns Football League chance at Burton

Former Luton prospect Millar Matthews-Lewis has described getting a shot to play in the Football League as a ‘dream come true’ after joining Town’s fellow League One side Burton Albion on transfer deadline day.

The 21-year-old heads to the Brewers from National League South outfit Hemel Hempstead Town on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with an additional 12-month club option, for an undisclosed fee. Matthews-Lewis was part of the academy at Kenilworth Road, as he joined the Hatters as an U14, going on to play in the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Cup, also scoring a hat-trick in the Beds Senior Cup final win over Biggleswade in March 2023, Conor Lawless, Jake Burger, and Avan Jones also on target.

Having been loaned to National League South side Farnborough in January 2024, he made the move full-time the following summer after being released by Luton, as he went on to score 10 goals in 30 appearances last term, joining Hemel on loan in February last year, scoring three goals. He headed to Vauxhall Road on a permanent basis in June, as this season he was on target 12 times in 26 league matches, which saw the Brewers snap him up to bolster their chances of avoiding relegation this evening.

Head coach Gary Bowyer told Burton’s official website: “Delighted to welcome Millar to the club, he’s had a good season so far and we see the potential for him to develop further. Millar can score all types of goals and is really keen to learn. Having spoken with him on the phone, he has a great desire to succeed and make the step up.”

Meanwhile, Matthews-Lewis himself, who could be back in Bedfordshire later this month when Albion travel to the Hatters for their third tier fixture on Saturday, February 21, added: “It’s a dream come true for me, I can’t wait to get started. This level of football is one that I feel will really get the best out of me and I can’t wait to get to work with the lads here.”

The attacker was also wished the best of luck by the Tudors too, who wrote on their official X page: “The club can today confirm the departure of Millar Matthews-Lewis to League One side Burton Albion on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee. We would like to thank Millar for his service to the club and wish him every success as he moves into the full time game.

“The deal also underpins the clubs commitment to giving young players, whether it be those through our own youth and academy systems, or those that have previously dropped out of full time football the opportunity to improve and thrive within our environment, with the chance to move into league football, whilst also building our club and team to push towards the top of the National League South and above.”