Luton Town are finalising a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba – after he played a crucial role in the Hatters’ promotion to the Premier League while on-loan last season

Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba is close to a permanent move to newly-promoted Luton Town. 

The 29-year-old played 20 games for the Hatters after joining on-loan in the January transfer window and helped them seal seal promotion to the top-flight. 

Nakamba joined Villa on a five-year deal from Club Brugge in 2019 but has fallen well down the pecking order and was not believed to be part of the plans of Unai Emery, who is embarking on his first full season with the club. 

Luton boss Rob Edwards had previously spoken of his admiration for the player, telling talkSport in May that the Zimbabwean midfielder was his ‘favourite player in the world’ following a string of standout performances. 

‘He can do what he wants,’ Edwards said. ‘He’s been great, so humble, the charity work he does back home.

Marvelous Nakamba played 68 times for Villa after joining in 2019 for £11m from Club Brugge

Nakamba helped propel Luton Town to the top-flight after starring in their promotion push

Rob Edwards has been a huge admirer of Nakamba ever since he joined the squad in January

‘He came into our club, so humble, he smiles every day, he trains exactly how he plays.

‘He will kick people in training, he will train like that, but he’s been the real bit of glue that’s brought us together.’ 

Luton lost just one game after Nakamba’s arrival at Kenilworth Road – to eventual champions Burnley – as the side clinched a play-off spot. 

Their fairytale campaign continued with a semi-final victory against Sunderland ahead of a 6-5 penalty shootout win in the final against Coventry which earned a return to the Premier League after more than 30 years away. 

Nakamba is set to become Luton’s fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Chiedozie Ogbene, Mads Andersen and Tahith Chong.