Town keeper signs for Premier League Norwich

Luton Town’s highly-rated teenage scholar goalkeeper Tyler Reading has signed for Premier League Norwich City.

The deal, which was agreed last week, has seen Reading move to Carrow Road on a two-year scholarship agreement, for an undisclosed fee.

Head of Youth Operations, Matt Stannard told Town’s official website: “Whilst it is our ultimate aim to push players all the way through our development programme, we would never stand in the way of a player who is offered the opportunity to move on to a bigger club.

“Obviously, the deal has to be right for all parties.

“We as a club would always ensure the welfare and future development of the child before entering into discussions with any club.

“We felt in this instance that this was the right move for Tyler and Luton Town Football Club.”

Tyler was one of 10 youngsters offered pre-scholar agreements when Town were relegated to the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The deals are given to players in the U15/U16 season who the club would like to tie down until the end of their U18 season.

Each club running an apprenticeship scheme alongside the Football League can register up to 18 players for their youth team squads and draw funding from League Football Education.

Tyler’s switch to Norwich will now open up a place for Craig King who was attracting a lot of interest from bigger clubs and has since agreed to sign for the next two years.

Despite losing Reading, to Norwich, who the Hatters knocked out of the FA Cup with a tremendous 1-0 win this season, Town academy manager Wayne Turner was delighted with the signing of King.

He added: “We were stuck between a rock and a hard place with this decision.

“They are both talented goalkeepers and we didn’t want to lose either of them.

“We had long discussions with all the staff and felt that this was the best decision for the club.

“This way, we have allowed Tyler to pursue his career and gained a talented goalkeeper in Craig.

“We would like to wish Tyler every success at his new club as he seeks to pursue his career at a Premier League club.”

The agreement further highlights the Town’s proud history of producing young talent.

The club were placed 141st in Europe, according to a report in December, when it comes to producing footballers for the top four European leagues, with the likes of the up-and-coming Cauley Woodrow (Fulham), Michael Cain (Leicester) and Dave Moli (Liverpool) having all come through the ranks in recent times before moving on.

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