Ex-Hatter Lawless heads to Dagenham & Redbridge as Williams joins Hemel

Ex-Luton midfielder Conor Lawless has joined National League side Dagenham & Redbridge after agreeing a one-year deal with the club.

The 21-year-old had joined the Hatters' Development squad back in September 2021 after being released from Reading, along with Josh Williams, going on to spend almost two years at Kenilworth Road.

He was part of the Town side that won the Beds Senior Cup, while also having loan spells at Farnborough and Dulwich Hamlet last term.

However, Lawless was then let go in the summer without making a senior first team appearance, and has been signed up by the Daggers after a successful trial spell.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Lawless said: “I feel like I’m ready and feel like it’s my time.

“Last season was tough but it taught me a lot, different ways of football, different styles, good and bad days, but it’s been good for me.”

Meanwhile, boss Ben Strevens said: “I was impressed when I used to watch him train at Luton.

"I’m glad he’s come in and shown the same levels with us over his trial period.

“We believe he can cover all the midfield positions for us and means we now have good competition for places in that area.

“I think he can have a very good career for himself but we want to keep helping him develop as a player and as a person.”

Defender Williams has re-signed for National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town on a permanent basis after he also departed the Hatters in the summer.

The 23-year-old had joined Town after spells as a youngster with Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, going on to make his first team debut for Luton during their Carabao Cup defeat against Newport County last season.

He was loaned to the Tudors in the second half of the campaign though and after impressing at Vauxhall Road has now returned to sign for the 2023-24 season.

Williams tweeted: “Delighted to be back! Big season ahead.”