Luton Town manager Nathan Jones has indicated that the Championship club could make Ethan Horvath’s loan spell permanent with the goalkeeper facing an uncertain future at Nottingham Forest, speaking to Luton Today.
The Hatters, as Jones points out, don’t tend to make a habit of short-term loans. The likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are certainly more the exception rather than the rule.
So, after an impressive start to life at Kenilworth Road, don’t be surprised if Horvath becomes a permanent member of the Luton roster sooner rather than later, Jones indicating that last season’s play-off semi-finalists have an ‘option’ to retain the USA international on a long-term deal.
Has Ethan Horvath already played his last game for Nottingham Forest?
“He’s settled very quickly. Ethan has earned the respect of everybody,” says the former Brighton and Hove Albion coach.
“A real good guy. Real character. He’s really diligent, positive, a pleasure to be around and he’s just rubbed off on everyone really.
“We don’t take loans. But we felt that when there’s an opportunity to really improve, then we take that gamble. And then we always try to get an option, so there’s things in place that, if we would like to make it permanent, then I’m sure we can.”
Horvath joined Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2021 from Belgian giants Club Brugge. He’s already played more games for Luton (13) than he did for Steve Cooper’s side (11), earning himself a place in the Championship’s Team of the Week following a fine performance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with West Brom.
A result that cost Steve Bruce his job at the Hawthorns.
“I think he has been a very good addition,” adds Jones, who was recently linked with a return to the South Coast following Graham Potter’s move to Chelsea.
“He’s a real good goalkeeper. We knew that before we brought him. We could have signed goalkeepers a lot easier before we brought Ethan in, but we waited because we believed he was the right one.
“He has been excellent, very diligent in his work. A real safe pair of hands and he’s forming a real good bond with the defenders he is playing with. So we’re really happy with him.”
Horvath has conceded one goal a game on average so far at Luton, keeping five clean sheets.
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