Luton Town Signs Erik Pieters on Short-Term Contract

Luton Town has announced the signing of former Netherlands international Erik Pieters on a short-term deal. The 36-year-old defender, previously with Stoke City, had been a free agent since his departure from West Bromwich Albion this summer. Pieters made 206 appearances during a six-year tenure with the Potters and has earned 18 international caps. He also made 61 appearances over a two-year spell at West Bromwich Albion before leaving the club this year, and played 66 times for Burnley. The signing comes as nineteenth-placed Luton faces a defensive shortage, with Teden Mengi, Amari’i Bell, Reece Burke, and Reuell Walters currently sidelined due to injury. Head coach Rob Edwards described Pieters, who trained with the Hatters in the summer, as an experienced left-sided defender capable of assisting the team. Edwards told the club’s website: “With one or two of the issues that we’ve got at the moment, we feel that that Erik will be able to help us during this period. It may not necessarily be with game time. It could mean help with training and if he gets an opportunity then it’s down to him. He’s a good guy, very experienced and can bring balance to our defensive options during this difficult period with the injuries we currently have.” Before joining Stoke in 2013, Pieters played for Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league.