Luton Town struck transfer gold with Stoke City deal - He wrote his name in history | OneFootball

The Hatters got tremendous value after acquiring Alfie Doughty from Stoke City in 2022.

It’s been a hugely disappointing last couple of seasons as far as Luton Town are concerned.

Jubilation was felt by everybody connected with the Hatters when they made it from non-league to the Premier League in 10 years following their penalty shootout victory in the play-off final against Coventry City back in 2023.

But since then, Luton have suffered unprecedented back-to-back relegations down to League One, first finishing 18th in the top-flight during the 2023/24 season, collecting 26 points from 38 games.

Despite many believing Luton would put up a fight to make an instant return to the Premier League, their poor form transcended into the Championship, with Matt Bloomfield unable to arrest the slide despite his best efforts after taking over from Rob Edwards.

Now Kenilworth Road prepares to host League One football once again next term, with big expectations brewing that the Hatters can return to the second tier and build towards a new era in the club's history.

Looking back on Luton’s successes on their way to the Premier League, one player who played a significant role in their climb was defender Alfie Doughty. It was a masterstroke of a transfer, and the Luton faithful are sure to be grateful to Doughty for contributing to their latest chapter of history.

Alfie Doughty’s sensational spell at Luton Town

Securing Alfie Doughty from Stoke City in the summer of 2022, many Luton Town supporters would not have expected the impact he would make for the Bedfordshire-based side.

At the age of 22, Doughty would have to bide his time to break into the first-team picture, but grasped his chance with both hands when starting his first game for the club in October 2022 against Norwich City.

With versatility in abundance, Doughty would feature on both flanks and in central midfield, registering two goals and five assists as the Hatters confirmed their place inside the top six.

The now 25-year-old would become a Luton Town legend by helping to guide the club to the promised land, featuring in both their play-off semi-final legs against Sunderland as well as completing 84 minutes in the final at Wembley.

Doughty would go on to take the Premier League challenge in his stride the following year, becoming one of the most prominent attacking outlets in the division.

Refined to a wing-back role in the top-flight, Doughty shined in the Luton lineup, with his constant bombarding forward runs and quality from set pieces setting up countless amounts of opportunities for his teammates.

A superb individual campaign saw Doughty net twice and provide eight assists, a remarkable personal campaign for a Premier League debutant.

However, the 2024/25 season saw Doughty's impact disrupted by injury, which was a large part of why Luton couldn’t avoid dreaded consecutive relegations.

Limited to just 26 league outings, he spent the back end of the season on the sidelines but still enjoyed yet another productive campaign by scoring once and setting up four goals.

Luton Town got the best possible value out of Alfie Doughty

Doughty is a player who has developed such a fantastic rapport with the Luton supporters, and he can hold his head up high for such a productive three seasons at the club.

The Hatters struck gold in this transfer deal with Stoke City, with Doughty a constant focal point for creativity as well as being able to play in numerous positions whenever called upon – vital to Luton’s promotion success.

With League One football on the horizon, the 2025 summer transfer window may well see him end his Luton chapter, but the former Charlton Athletic man did put pen to paper on an undisclosed contract extension last September, so it remains to be seen what the future holds.

Many fans wouldn’t begrudge him for leaving though, as he undoubtedly could still be a success for a Premier League side, but Luton will be hopeful having such dominant financial resources in League One will be enough of a project that he can remain on board with.

Whatever happens, Luton have received tremendous value out of Doughty, with the Luton faithful constantly filled with excitement whenever his wand of a left foot is on the ball.