Town defender extends Welling loan spell as young keeper heads to Marine

Luton youngster Vladimir Paternoster has agreed to extend his loan with Isthmian League Premier Division side Welling United until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old spent time with both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster before moving to Shrewsbury in 2022 and then heading to Kenilworth Road in the summer of 2024. Paternoster had a loan spell at Hemel Hempstead in the National League South last term, playing four matches, while he has made 10 Premier League Cup appearances for the Hatters’ U21s, five this season, in which he scored during the 4-3 defeat against West Bromwich Albion U21s.

Having been on the bench for the first team in their Vertu Trophy matches against Exeter City and Swindon Town, Paternoster moved to the Wings in February, making his debut in the 1-0 defeat at home to Dartford. He then gained an assist as Cray Valley were defeated 4-1, coming off the bench in the 3-2 victory over Potters Bar, as he will now hope to feature again for the side, sitting fourth bottom in the table, at Wingate & Finchley tomorrow.

A statement on the Luton website said: “Vladimir Paternoster has extended his stay with Welling United for the remainder of the season. Paternoster, 19, who has primarily featured in Alex Lawless’ U21 side this campaign, joined The Wings in late February and featured three times for the Isthmian Premier side. The centre-back, born in Milan but raised in England from the age of one, has been featured on the bench in the Vertu Trophy this season but is yet to make his senior debut for Town. Good luck for the rest of the season, Vlad!

Meanwhile, Welling themselves added: “We are excited to announce Vladimir Paternoster’s loan spell with us has been extended until the end of the season! He has been phenomenal so far and much more to come.”

» Teenage goalkeeper Charlie Booth has joined National League North side Marine on a short term loan deal. The 18-year-old has been with the Hatters for a lengthy period now, playing mainly for the U18s this term, with six clean sheets from his 27 outings.

He will be available to provide cover for the Mariners’ FA Trophy semi-final tie at Wealdstone on Saturday, with The Lilywhites hoping to face one of Southport or Southend in the final. A statement on Marine’s official X page said: “We can confirm the signing of goalkeeper Charlie Booth on a 7-day emergency loan from League One side Luton Town. Following on from Fraser Barnsley’s international U21 call-up and the importance of having two available goalkeepers for such a big game, Charlie comes in to support Jack McIntyre, who has been excellent in the games he has come in for, recently keeping two successive clean sheets.

“The 18-year-old has been with the Hatters since a young age, and has made three appearances in the Premier League Cup for his parent club this season. Charlie joins up with Bobby Grant’s side ahead of Saturday’s Isuzu FA Trophy semi-final at Wealdstone, as the Mariners bid to reach the Wembley final. Welcome to Marine, Charlie.”

» Luton academy goalkeeper Lucas Thomas has had his loan extended with Southern League Premier South side Gosport Borough. The 17-year-old had an excellent initial spell with the club so far and will remain in Hampshire for the rest of the campaign. Thomas, who made his debut in late February, has kept three clean sheets in four appearances against Basingstoke Town, Bracknell Town and Poole Town.

A statement on the Boro official X page said: “We can confirm Lucas Thomas’ loan has been extended until the end of the season. The Luton Town loanee has kept three clean sheets in his four league games played, along with making some vital saves.”

» Luton full back Kai Source made his first team debut for Southern League Premier Central club St Ives Town after joining the club on loan until the end of the season earlier this month. Having been on the bench for the 1-1 draw against Spalding United, the 19-year-old, who moved to the Hatters as an U19 after previously being with Reading, got his maiden start in the 1-1 draw at Alvechurch in midweek.