Hatters midfielder heads out on loan as young attacker returns from Scotland

Young Luton midfielder Jack Lorentzen-Jones has joined National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town on a youth loan until the end of January.

The 19-year-old, who has been with the Hatters since joining the academy as an U8, is back at Vauxhall Road for the second time in his career, having spent the final few months of last season with the Tudors, in what was his first loan away from Kenilworth Road. Lorentzen-Jones has caught the eye of new Town manager Jack Wilshere this term, as after being a regular for the U21s in their Premier League Cup and Beds Senior Cup matches, made his senior debut when coming on in the second half of the Vertu Trophy last 32 tie against Exeter City last month.

Announcing their new arrival, Hemel, who are eighth in the table, with 11 wins from 23 matches, wrote on their official X page: “Hemel Hempstead Town Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of Luton Town attacking midfielder Jack Lorentzen-Jones. Jack has been a part of the youth setup at the Hatters since he was 7 and is well-known for his creative playmaking and his long-range shooting ability. Welcome back to The Focus, Jack! Jack will be available for selection in our league fixture vs Dagenham & Redbridge, pending approval from the National League, FA and the EFL.”

Meanwhile, striker Oli Lynch has had his loan with National League side Tamworth extended until the end of the season. The 21-year-old academy graduate has scored once in 23 league matches, with seven starts, on target in the draw at Hartlepool in September, although he has found the net seven times in 31 appearances in all competitions since joining the Lambs in early August, including against Manchester United U21s in the National League Cup last month.

The Luton fan, who joined the club as an U14, penned a new contract with the Hatters last April after being recalled from his prolific loan spell at Hemel Hempstead Town, where he had scored 11 goals in 18 appearances for the National League South side. He has also had past senior experience at Southern League Premier Central side Hitchin Town and also Isthmian Premier side Dulwich Hamlet.

Finally, fellow academy striker Tate Xavier-Jones has returned to Bedfordshire after his loan spell with Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians came to an end. The 19-year-old made 13 substitute appearances in the second tier for the club, with his only goal coming in the League Challenge Cup recently, as he found the net in the 3-2 win at Alloa.

A statement on the Diamonds official website said: “Tate Xavier-Jones returns to Luton Town following the end of his loan deal. Striker Xavier-Jones joined the club in August, gaining valuable experience in the first-team environment as he made 14 appearances for the Diamonds. In his solitary start against Alloa Athletic, the 19-year-old hit the net with an impressive finish from the edge of the box. Tate returns to Luton with our thanks and best wishes, and we will watch his future career with interest.”