Luton Today Morning Update Tuesday 6 January, 2026
Young winger heads to Kenilworth Road on loan
Luton boss Jack Wilshere has every confidence that new signing Emlio Lawrence, a player he labelled as an ‘exciting one’, has what it takes to adapt to life in League One after joining the Hatters on loan from Manchester City this morning.
The 20-year-old has left the Etihad to embark on his first move away from the Premier League giants having played just seven games for the club’s U21s in the Vertu Trophy since arriving at the club from Everton in November 2022. He has managed two assists in the competition, but although he has impressed in the Premier League 2, U18s Premier League and UEFA Youth League, is still yet to make a first Football League appearance, something that should happen soon, after penning a deal to remain in Bedfordshire until the end of the campaign.
Wilshere believes when he gets his opportunity to play senior football with the Hatters, he will be more than capable of taking it too, saying: “Yes, he can. He’ll need some time to adapt and it’s down to us as coaches and as a club to help him adapt quickly and make him feel comfortable everywhere. Luton’s a little bit different to Man City, but that’s also something that made us certain that he was right for us.
“As I think about certain players that I worked with in the academy that probably wouldn’t survive in this environment, but he definitely was one who straight away, I spoke to him, spoke to his family, they’re hungry, they want him to get out, they want him to play. He’s hungry, which is the most important thing I think, and let’s see. Let’s try and support him in the best way, give him a little bit of time, but definitely an exciting one.”
Asked just what Lawrence will bring to a Hatters side who have been after more attacking threat, particularly on their travels recently, then discussing the Scotland U21 international’s main talents were, Wilshere continued: “He’s a player that gives us something different in the final third. I’ve watched him for a few years, I’ve known about him for a few years, obviously being involved in academy football you kind of know who’s doing well.
"He was one that I always kept my eye on, he adds something different in the final third, can go on the inside, can use the outside. He comes from a club that in my opinion develops players in the right way and I think you can see that throughout the leagues. He’s obviously still young and his first loan, he needs time to adapt, to get used to us, to understand the players he’s playing with, but definitely an exciting one for us.
“Coming through the City system he has an understanding of what is required from a winger at the top level, and a lot of quality. He can play through the middle, or off either side, but he’s more comfortable off the left coming in on his right foot. I speak all the time about having variation in attack and we have had a lot of success down our left side this year, but Emilio is someone who can give us something a bit different.”
Emilio Lawrence has joined the Hatters on loan - pic: Molly Darlington/Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Emilio Lawrence has joined the Hatters on loan - pic: Molly Darlington/Getty Images
With Lawrence a star of youth football both at the Toffees and then City, as Wilshere himself was involved heavily in bringing through the next generation with the Gunners, managing the U18s while at the Emirates Stadium, then he knew all about the youngster’s undoubted potential, saying: “We played against City once, I don’t think he played, but the academy world is quite a small world. You hear about things and I used to watch a lot of games and also we were constantly looking, or trying to be the club that enters the market at that age.
"So we were looking at the best players at that age, and he was definitely one that came up a few times. I’ve got loads of notes from back in those days, as it’s more that now when you’re looking and seeing what’s available, and a name comes up, it’s ‘oh, I remember him.’ He was that type of player which helps as there’s a few on the list and some young ones who have excited me over the years. Gideon (Kodua) was one of them actually as well. So when you’ve been in an academy you’ve always got an eye on that.”
Meanwhile the fact that Luton have been entrusted with the development of such a talent by Manchester City is a big feather in the cap for Wilshere and his staff, as he added: “Yes I think so and that is not just me, it’s testament to the club, to the coaches that we’ve got here. It’s probably the best loans team I’ve seen in Man City in how thorough they are examining if it’s the right opportunity, it’s the right coach, it’s the right environment. I think we should all be proud of that as Man City’s a big club with a lot of talent there. They have a really successful loans system in bringing them back and selling them, and they’re probably the best in the country so we’ll take some pride in that.”
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