Luton chief gives an update on when he expects January addition to feature

Luton boss Jack Wilshere has backed new signing Sverre Sandal to adapt to life in the Football League following his deadline day move to England from Norwegian top flight club KFUM.

The 22-year-old is taking his first venture outside of his home country as having come through with Nordstrand, he moved to KFUM in 2022 and helped his new team win promotion from the OBOS-ligaen to the Eliteserien a year later. Sandal has gone to make 52 league appearances in the last two seasons, with three goals and four assists, but with the campaign finishing last year, it means hasn’t kicked a ball competitively since a 2-0 loss to Sandefjord on November 30, 2025, over two months ago.

Discussing his latest addition and when he thinks that the 6ft 4ins midfielder could be ready to impact the first team, then speaking on Friday afternoon, Wilshere said: “With Sverre, he’s obviously been in a pre-season. His season finished November time and he’s been back training, but the last thing we wanted to do with him was just to chuck him straight into the group as there is a difference in intensity and especially with the way we train.

"That was one of the big things that I wanted to improve when I came here and we train at such an intense level it would be crazy of us just to drop him straight in. We need to see where he is, see how he adapts. He’s been on the grass and been training with the physical guys, but Sandal is probably I wouldn’t say weeks, I would say maybe a week or 10 days.”

Just how it was that Luton came to bring someone like Sandal to the club, Wilshere continued: “Sverre was someone who we kept track of the whole market. He was flagged up through data before and I watched lots and lots of his games and clips and spoke to some pretty good Norwegian players about him, what they know about him and if they know anyone who knows him. Then of course we met him and tried to show him who we are, teach him who we are and what we want, but also learn a little bit about him.

"He is a guy who is incredibly talented, but also incredibly hungry which is what I wanted and we’re looking forward to seeing what he brings to the team. He’s a holding midfielder, a number six, or a number four, some people may know it as, but he’s different to what we’ve got at the moment. Walshy’s (Liam Walsh) been excellent for us and has the ability to dictate games and he’s a slightly different player that adds something different.

"I speak all the time about having variation and what it takes to go away from home. Sometimes you need a little bit of a different approach so Sverre is someone who’s going to help us massively. His season finished in November, so he’s been through a pre-season so he’s probably not quite ready just to step in straight away in this intense league but he’ll be very soon in and around it and he can help us.”

Although Sandal joined at the same time as another foreign player in Dutch midfielder Davy van den Berg, neither who have ever figured in English football before, Wilshere was confident they wouldn’t have an issue in getting to grips with what League One has to offer, as he stated: “That was something we thought about when we were trying to bring players in. We were looking at different markets and one of the biggest things if we were going to bring people is if they can help us when they’re ready to straight away and it’s not going to take them time to adapt.

"Of course in this league there will be something’s that they’ve not faced before, but actually the way we play will suit them in so many ways. They’ll have to adapt to the chaos of this league, but we’ll also try and create that every day in training where players can adapt quickly to that. I’m confident they can come in and when they’re ready to help us straight away.”

Another who was eager to see one of Luton’s latest additions in action was chief executive Gary Sweet, who writing in his programme notes ahead of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Bradford City, said: “As Jack has already explained, Sverre will need a little time to get fully up to speed as his season with KFUM finished at the end of November and he is currently in his pre-season. However, on the upside, it won’t be a prolonged absence and he’s young, fresh and raring to go.”

Meanwhile, discussing a move to Bedfordshire with the official Hatters website, Sandal himself added: “I’m very excited. Ever since I heard about the interest I’ve been looking forward to coming over, signing for Luton Town and giving my all. Everyone in Norway knows Luton’s story, and when I look at my former club, we’ve had a similar rise to the top division unexpectedly. I understand it’s been a tough two years, but it seems like we are in the beginning of rebuilding and it’s something I want to be a part of.

“I’ve seen that the fans are passionate and from what I’ve heard, Luton is a hard-working town, which is something that suits me well. I like to bring the game up the field, play forward, win my duels, work hard and help the team. I’m so eager to prove myself here and can’t wait to start training.”