Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere has made a claim regarding Harrison Ashby’s spell at Bradford City
Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere was left impressed by the way his new signing Harrison Ashby bought into life at Bradford City.
Ashby spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan in West Yorkshire, making eight appearances in the club’s run to the League One play-off semi-finals.
The 24-year-old wing-back has now returned to the third tier, sealing a season-long loan move from Newcastle United to Luton. The move has reunited him with Wilshere, who he played with at West Ham United.
Harrison Ashby made eight league appearances during his loan spell at Bradford City.placeholder image
Harrison Ashby made eight league appearances during his loan spell at Bradford City. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
Harrison Ashby’s ‘love’ of Bradford City loan
Wilshere said: “Going out on his loans in the Championship and League One has probably helped him grow up a lot as well. Harrison is a good footballer, and always has been, but he had to go out and learn the other side of it.
“He was at Bradford last year, so he understands the league and he says he loved his loan there. That tells me he’s someone that buys into a coach, a way of playing and a way of working with a good attitude, that we need right now.
“I was playing alongside Harrison for West Ham when he made his debut, and you could tell that he had something. Technically he was always clean, and he was very young then, but physically he was good.”
Fresh challenge at Luton Town
Ashby was lured from West Ham by Newcastle United in 2023 but opportunities for the former Scotland youth international have proven limited.
Prior to his spell at Bradford, Ashby had been loaned to Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers.
Harrison Ashby was a bit-part player during his loan stint at Bradford City.placeholder image
Harrison Ashby was a bit-part player during his loan stint at Bradford City. | Tony Johnson
Wilshere said: “I kept an eye on him going to Newcastle because Eddie Howe is someone I worked with and a coach that I respect, so I always thought that he’d be good for him.
“It probably hasn’t quite worked out for him how he wanted it to, but Eddie has definitely done a good job of developing him as a player, but also as a person. He’s grown up so much. He’s someone I see who can fit straight into this group and help us on the pitch.”