Hatters sign defender Tompkins on apprenticeship deal

Luton Town have signed teenage central defender Ben Tompkins on a two-year apprenticeship with the club's Academy.

The 16-year-old north Londoner has been on an extended trial period with the club in recent months, appearing for both the U18s and U21 development sides.

Tompkins will complete the remainder of his first year and spend the full second year as a scholar with the Hatters’ academy, under the tutelage of youth team coaches Dan Walder and Paul Benson, as well as U21 boss Adrian Forbes.

Hatters' Academy & development manager Andy Awford said: “Ben has been training and playing with us for a while now and we are glad to be able to offer him the opportunity to continue his progress.

“He’s fitted in really well with both his character and his footballing ability, and we look forward to him developing further with us on a full-time basis.”