Seagulls keeper thrilled to work with Luton boss once more

The 20-year-old, had worked with Jones during his spell with the Seagulls as first team coach for two-and-a-half years previously.

Jones was then appointed Luton boss back in January and went back to his old club to bring in Walton for the 
season.

The keeper said: “There was a few teams interested, but as soon as I found out that Nathan was interested in taking me for the season, then that was my front runner.

“It was a massive factor him being here and I know Glen Rea very well, being at Brighton, so obviously it’s a great move for me and one I’m really looking forward to.

“He’s a young manager, he’s enthusiastic about the game, I think he gets the best out of all his players and I’m really looking forward to working with him.

“I worked with him at Brighton and he was interim manager, I was on the bench when he was, so I know what he’s about and know he knows the best way to get the talent out of his players.”

Walton is not surprised in the slightest that Jones opted to take the move into management and that he has been very much a success during his brief tenure with Luton thus far.

He continued: “I think that was in his plan to get out and become a manager.

“It’s showed when he was in charge for those few games at Brighton, the skill level he had to step up and be a manager, so I’m really looking forward to working with him this year.

“He was involved with the FA who invited him up to coach with the U21s squad, so you don’t get that call if you’re not of a high calibre.

“His sessions are really good, he gets the best out of his players and he knows the best way in which to do that, so his sessions will definitely help improve the team and the individuals.”

Seagulls boss Chris Hughton was firmly on board with the move for his young keeper too, who has represented England at both U19 and U20 level.

He continued: “That was the plan for me to get out on loan this year and get my games. He (Hughton) said that there’s no better place to go and work at and do that.

“The contacts Nathan has with the club, and the size of the club, the fanbase is good, so I’ll be playing in front of good crowds and it will be a really good season for me, to show what I can do.”

Boss Jones has spoken of his delight to attract Walton to the club for the campaign too, describing the deal as a ‘real coup’.

The young keeper admitted playing for a manager who clearly wants him, was a huge bonus too. He said: “Some loan deals with previous rules and regulations that you can only go for a month, sometimes managers get stuck with players they don’t really want and can ship them out.

“But for me to know I’ll be here for the whole season and be able to get settled in was one I was really looking forward to, for Nathan to say things like that out loud was really good.”