Luton boss Jones hails 'phenomenal' Hylton after he leaves for Cobblers

Luton Town manager Nathan Jones says Danny Hylton will leave a ‘gaping hole’ at the club after he parted ways to sign for the Cobblers.

Hylton scored 62 goals in 170 games for the Hatters and his six years at the club included back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship followed by three impressive seasons in the second tier.

He turned down a move to Northampton – and others – in January and did hold discussions with Luton over staying for another year, but in the end he felt it was the right time to move on.

The 33-year-old penned a two-year deal at Sixfields on Tuesday and is Northampton’s third signing of the summer transfer window.

“Danny has been my best-ever signing as a manager and I am going to miss him every single day,” said Jones.

“He was the catalyst for all the other great signings that we have had, and has epitomised everything we have done here at Luton with his high energy, underdog spirit, the quality – just everything about us.

“He had opportunities to leave, but never did. Every day he came in and trained like a lunatic. He was a talisman, the player the fans related to, and it’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in allowing him to leave the football club. It’s like letting your kid go.

“There will be a gaping hole now Danny Hylton has left, but I thank him for coming to us and turning down bigger offers than ours. I thank him for everything he has done for us, and I thank him for just being Danny Hylton every single day.

“He has been phenomenal for Luton Town and we wish him and his family well with everything.”

Hylton himself tweeted: “What a journey! What a club! If you have been part of my journey over the past 6 years from the bottom of my heart I cannot thank you enough. Good luck hatter for life!!! @LutonTown.”