Luton have signed Dutch goalkeeper, Tim Krul from Norwich City for an undisclosed fee.
Krul’s arrival will provide Luton with proven top-flight experience, having previously made 225 Premier League appearances across spells at Newcastle United and Norwich.
The 35 year-old Netherlands international however lost his starting position as first-choice goalkeeper to Angus Gunn in the middle of last season, following David Wagner’s arrival as manager which has led him to seek a fresh challenge with Luton in hope of regular game time.
Speaking to http://www.lutontown.co.uk about his decision to join Luton, Krul commented: “The story of Luton Town speaks for itself, the last nine years has been an amazing journey and I’m excited to join that journey.
“It’s been a whirlwind for the club; I spoke to Carlton Morris and he spoke very highly about what’s happening at this club.
“I know Thomas Kaminski as well, it’s good to speak a bit of Dutch Flemish to him. It’s so important to have competition for places, if you look at the Premier League teams, they have lots of competition for spots and it should be no different here.”
Manager Rob Edwards added: “Tim’s a leader and a top goalkeeper who is still very and ambitious and very hungry. He wants to play.
“It’s great to have someone of his level in the group with that ambition and to be that driven, and it’s going to add great competition to the goalkeeper department, which is what we’ve wanted.”
Edwards also iterated that Krul is “a quality goalkeeper and a leader” who brings “great experience of this level which is important for us.”
The ex Watford manager praised Krul for his attitude as he added: “He’s a great guy, a proper bloke, who has an air of confidence, a good swagger and a belief about his ability, because he’s been there and done it. He’s played in the World Cup, has experience in the Premier League.”
Norwich’s Sporting Director, Stuart Webber meanwhile hailed Krul as “an outstanding servant” of the Canaries, who “has been a top class goalkeeper and leader during his time with the club.”
Webber added that Krul was crucial to “developing the right culture at our club, and was instrumental in our two Championship title-winning seasons, with his form recognised in him winning the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy as our Player of the Season for 2019/20.”
Paying tribute to Krul for his decision to leave in search of game time, Webber said: “We of course wish Tim well in the future. We all look forward to welcoming him back for an upcoming home game at Carrow Road, so that our supporters can show their appreciation for all that he has done for the club.”
Krul could make his debut for Luton away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday 25 August, in a 8pm BST kick-off live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Krul began his career at Netherlands’ ADO Den Haag in their youth academy before joining Newcastle, where he made 184 total appearances in a 10-year stint amidst loan spells at Falkirk, Carlisle, Jong Ajax and AZ Alkmaar across his stint on Tyneside.
The 35 year-old went on to make five appearances for Brighton in 2017-18 season, before he joined Norwich where he helped the team to two promotions and instant relegations across 169 appearances for the Canaries.