Rooney signing hailed by former team-mate Benson

The striker played with Luton’s latest signing at former club Swindon Town and admitted he had thrived off of his service.

He said: “It’s an excellent signing, very good signing. I know Roons well, I’m good friends with him, got on really well with him at Swindon.

“He was the main supplier of my goals there as it goes. I struck up a good friendship with him and he’s a good player and more importantly he’s a good lad as well and will fit in brilliantly here and it’s a great signing by the gaffer.”

Benson revealed he had spoken to his friend before he made the move permanent, and that he had chosen the Hatters ahead of a number of Football League teams.

He said: “I spoke to him, but I didn’t put any pressure on him because ultimately the decision had to be his.

“He asked me questions about the club and what not and I just gave him honest answers and the decision was ultimately his own and I honestly believe he’s made the right decision because he had other clubs he was speaking to and he could have easily gone to a different club.

“Clubs in the League as well, so I’m just delighted he’s chosen us to come down and play.”

Young midfielder Matt Robinson will be competing with him for a place in Town’s midfield, and admitted he could already see his qualities after just a couple of days’ training.

He added: “I think he first came into training on Thursday and you can always get a feel for a player from the first training session you see them play, and my immediate reaction was he can play.

“He’s got the mindframe to get the ball down, very calm, controlled with the ball and knows what he wants to do and I think that he could be a vital asset coming into this home run.”