Son of ex-Hatters promotion winner Chris Coyne is one of eight to sign new deals with Luton

Luton Town have agreed professional development deals with eight youngsters, including goalkeeper Liam Coyne, the son of Hatters promotion winner Chris Coyne.

The shot-stopper, who was born in Luton but grew up in Australia where he featured for Perth Glory, Sorrento and Baywater City, moved to Kenilworth Road in the summer. He is now hoping to become the second member of the Coyne family to play for Town, with father Chris having featured 252 times, scoring 16 goals between 2001-08, part of the Hatters squad who won promotion to the Championship back in 2005.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Liam said: “I am a hardworking, dedicated goalkeeper who wants to win and demands more of myself every time and wants to get better and improve at everything I do. I am a good shot stopper with a good left foot.”

Joining Coyne in penning new contracts are striker Jordan Iwhiwhu and defender Vladimir Paternoster, who both joined in the summer. Nigeria-born Iwhiwhu was previously on the books at Bristol Rovers, while also being selected for the England College team, as he said: “I’m a quick and powerful striker who loves scoring goals as well as creating for team-mates. I’m direct in front of goal and enjoy one v one opportunities. I don’t mind holding up or running beyond and I'm very both footed.”

Meanwhile, Milan-born Paternoster, who was previously on the books at Shrewsbury Town and Tottenham Hotspur, also playing for Hemel Hempstead, said: “I am a ball playing centre back that likes to drive out from the back, pick out passes and defend one v one.”

Midfielder Dominic Dos Santos Martins, who joined the U18s and was named in the Hatters’ match-day Premier League squad last season after some impressive displays in the academy, said: “I’m very self-motivated and always aspire to do well and work hard every day. I’m a very aggressive and technical midfielder and read the game very well.”

Centre half Claude Kayibanda is another to agree a new deal, as last season’s U18s captain, who joined from Focus Football as an U12 and can also operate at full back and midfielder, continued: “I’m a versatile player who can play in many roles as a defender and midfielder. I work hard in and out of possession and lead the team with my communication skills. I see myself as a strong and aggressive player on the pitch.”

Midfielder Jack Lorentzen-Jones, who scored twice against Rangers last night, has been at Kenilworth Road since he was eight, becoming a regular for the U18s last season and broke into the development squad under Adrian Forbes. Summing up his qualities, he said: “I like getting on the ball in all areas of the pitch and try to get on it as much as possible if that’s from the goalkeeper or higher up the pitch. I am a good passer who can spray long distant passes but likes to play quick one touch football with team-mates through other teams.”

Meanwhile, Tyrell Giwa is also staying, the right-sided defender who was a regular for the U18s last term having joined at U12 level after being with Hemel Hempstead Town. He said: “I am an athletic full-back/wingback who likes to join in the attacks as well as defending the goal. I am agile and quick and like to make runs in behind. I’m enthusiastic and energetic, I only want to win. When in advanced areas I like to put in crosses and run at other full backs. Defensively I’m successful and don’t lose many one v one battles.”

Finally, Australian goalkeeper Henry Blackledge joined last season having begun his career with Western Pride in Australia’s third tier, making his senior debut as a 15-year-old, before spells with Brisbane Olympic and Brisbane Roar. He added: “I strive to be a committed professional and go beyond where others would stop. I have a high work ethic which allows me to learn quickly and improve technically. I think my biggest weakness is my consistency although I feel like I have been improving in this area a lot recently.”