Luton forward completes loan move to Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen

Luton have confirmed that striker Lasse Nordås has joined Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen on loan until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old moved to Kenilworth Road around 12 months ago when he joined from Norwegian Eliteserien side Tromso, but has struggled to really adapt to English football, scoring just four goals in 27 appearances, and only making six league starts in that time. There had been rumours he was going to depart Bedfordshire over the weekend, with those firmed up when he was pictured training with the Abe Lenstra Stadion side on social media.

The Hatters have now officially announced his exit, with a statement on the club’s official website saying: “Striker Lasse Nordås has joined Dutch top-flight club SC Heerenveen on loan until the end of the season. The 23-year-old Norwegian signed for the Hatters last January from Tromsø and made ten appearances in the Championship.

"He scored his first goal for the club in the 3-0 League One win at Burton Albion in August, and in total has netted four times in 17 appearances in all competitions this term. Lasse joins up with the side who currently sit ninth in the Eredivisie table ahead of the resumption of the Dutch season next weekend following their winter break, Best of luck in the Netherlands Lass!"

Discussing his new signing, then speaking to The Super Frisians official website, technical manager Johan Hansma said: "Lasse is a physically strong, left-footed striker, 1.94 meters tall. He's strong both on the ground and in the air, a true team player, and has a good sense of positioning in the penalty area. We're pleased to add an attacking boost to the squad with him."

It was clear that Nordas wasn’t part of Wilshere’s first team plans since he took over in October, only featuring in four of his 13 League One squads, making three appearances. After scoring twice in the Vertu Trophy victory against Exeter City, the Town chief spoke of a need for the forward to become more aggressive in his play, something he felt he had improved.

Speaking recently, Wilshere said: “That's one thing that I will say about Lasse, which again, probably hasn't been easy for him, but one thing he does do, he comes to see me, he asks the question, he looks in my eyes, we have a good conversation and then he goes and tries his best do that in training to earn the right to get on the pitch. He’s done that, so credit to him as there’s definitely been a reaction to it.”

» Luton U21s' Beds Senior Cup quarter-final at Leighton Town this evening, scheduled for a 7.45pm kick-off, has been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Bell Close. The club have confirmed they will announce a new date for the fixture in due course.