Hatters boss understands why striker Morris wanted to make Derby County switch

Luton forward Carlton Morris has left Kenilworth Road to make an instant return to the Championship and sign for Derby County for an undisclosed fee.

The 29-year-old moved to the Hatters when Town shelled out what was then a club record fee to Barnsley for his services back in the summer of 2022, as he played a huge role in the club reaching the Premier League, scoring 20 goals, while also netting from the penalty spot in the play-off penalty shootout victory over Coventry City at Wembley.

Morris then etched his name into Town history by becoming the first player to score in the Premier League, when he was on target from the penalty spot in the season-opener at Brighton & Hove Albion. He went on to notch 11 top flight goals, including the winner in Luton’s first victory of the season, a 2-1 success at Everton, as in the absence of Tom Lockyer, he also wore the captain’s armband for the past 18 months.

The ex-Norwich City youngster finished as the Hatters’ leading marksman again last season, although his tally of eight wasn’t enough to prevent Luton from being relegated back to League One once more. Having scored 39 goals in 137 outings, the forward has opted to make the switch to Pride Park, as manager Matt Bloomfield can understand his reasons why, telling the club’s official website: “Carlton has been a big player for our football club for a long time now.

"In the relatively short spell that we have worked with him, he has led by example and given everything for the cause. We understand his desire to continue his career at the highest level he can and he leaves to join Derby with our best wishes. I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying he’ll always be a welcome visitor at Kenilworth Road for what he helped the club achieve, and we all wish him well for his future career.”