New contract for Benagr caps a 'crazy' few weeks for Hatters starlet

Luton youngster Benny Benagr capped a ‘crazy’ few weeks at Kenilworth Road with the news this evening that he had committed his future to the club by signing a new contract.

The 18-year-old first joined the Hatters as part of the Luton Town Community Trust’s pre-academy, before moving to the academy at Under-9 level. Staying with Luton ever since, he penned a first professional deal in February 2025, but then saw injury disrupt his attempts to break into the first team sooner last term.

Fit-again now, Benagr impressed boss Jack Wilshere during the gruelling pre-season trip to Spain and subsequent friendlies afterwards, so much so that he was named in the starting XI that strode out at Gillingham in the Carabao Cup first round contest on Saturday. Not only did he get his senior Hatters debut, but just before the hour mark, he was celebrating his first goal as well, reacting quickest to prod home after Nahki Wells' shot was parried by keeper Owen Mason.

With the former Cardinal Newman pupil looking very much like he can go on to enjoy a fine future in the game, Luton hope that will be in Bedfordshire for as long as possible, agreeing a new deal with the flying left-footer. Speaking to the club’s official website about the recent month and his time away in Murcia, Benagr said: “The last few weeks have been a bit crazy, but I’ve enjoyed it so much and I’m hungry to keep learning.

"On the day we went to Spain, I woke up to a message from Benno (Paul Benson) to say that the first team want you to fly with them, and I had two hours to get ready and get to The Brache. It was a bit of a rush, but it was worth it. The following day, Resilience Day, was probably one of the toughest days I’ve ever had in my life, waking up so early, no breakfast, nothing.

"Just straight to work. It’s worked though because it made me see everything in a different perspective; that I’m not always going to be at the front of the line if I’m doing runs, because I was at the back for most of it, and I struggled in some of the circuits. But it was all a great learning experience. I’m thankful to every single coach I’ve had on my journey, because it’s been a long, tough journey.

"It’s a good feeling right now, but I’ve not got to get too far ahead of myself. I need to stay humble, stay grounded, because I don’t want to be one of those players who get to this stage and think they’ve completed it. I haven’t completed it. I’ve still got a long way to go. I want to keep learning from all the coaches and great professionals who have welcomed me so much in the last few weeks. It’s only a good start.”

Boss Wilshere was also quick to praise the way in which Luton’s academy graduate has been coping since being thrown in at the deep end, adding: “Benny has dealt with everything that’s been thrown at him in recent weeks, from finding out he was flying out on the day we went, to being woken up at 6am for Resilience Day and playing in the games since.

"He’s taken everything in his stride and scoring the goal on Saturday was reward for his hard work, but this contract isn’t a result of that. It was already in place because he’s shown in a very short space of time exactly why the academy coaches rate him so highly. I know how well he did as a first-year scholar. He’s overcome adversity with the injury he had last season, but Paul Benson and Alex Lawless have been telling me constantly what a prospect he is.

“We let Benny start pre-season with the 21s to ease his way in, but it’s a credit to those coaches that he’s come into the first team environment and had the impact he has. There is still so much learning for him to do, but we always say that experience is better than explanation, and he’s soaking everything up at the minute. Long may that continue.”