Luton Town have officially announced the acquisition of Tahith Chong from Birmingham City, although the exact transfer fee remains undisclosed.
The 23-year-old Dutch midfielder had previously joined Birmingham on a permanent basis last season after spending the 2021-22 campaign on loan at St Andrew’s from Manchester United.
Chong played a significant role for Birmingham last season, impressing with four goals in 41 appearances across various competitions, as the club finished in 17th place in the Championship table.
Now, the talented midfielder has sealed his return to the Premier League by signing with Luton, who have just been promoted. Chong is their third signing of the summer transfer window.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the move, Chong stated in an interview with Luton’s official website, “In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already sensed the strong sense of community within the club. I consider myself a football enthusiast, and having watched some of Luton’s matches, I’ve observed their unified and cohesive style of play. It’s evident that they are a closely-knit family club.”
Chong emphasized the importance of a club being like a family, especially when facing challenges. He believes that unity and solidarity are crucial to weathering adversities together and ultimately finding success.
Manager Rob Edwards also shared his thoughts on Chong’s arrival, highlighting their prior acquaintance. Edwards stated, “I have known Tahith for a considerable period, as he and the club go way back. Our paths first crossed when I was at Wolves a few years ago, and he was part of Manchester United’s Under-23s.”
Edwards admired Chong’s abilities, recalling his early days as a winger but noting his adaptability to play as a central midfielder as well. The manager praised Chong’s technical skills, athleticism, and work rate, which were evident during his time at Birmingham in the Championship.
The manager further expressed confidence in Chong’s potential, emphasizing his age and continuous development. Edwards believes that Luton provides an ideal environment for the young player to flourish, enabling him to take risks, showcase his talents, and learn from any mistakes he might make along the way.
During his tenure at Manchester United, Chong made only five appearances in the Premier League, struggling to secure regular playing time with the first team, despite progressing through the club’s youth ranks.
As the new Premier League season approaches, Chong could make his competitive debut for Luton when they face Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening weekend of the campaign next month.