Manager Jack Wilshere wants to deliver a “world-class pre-season” during his first summer as Luton Town manager, after confirming plans for a training camp in Spain over the last few days.

Since spending a week in Hungary during Nathan Jones’ first pre-season in 2016, the Hatters have visited Slovenia in seven of the last nine years, staying in the UK in 2020 and 2021 due to travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic.

Those camps, initially in Maribor and then Kranjska Gora, helped prepare the Town for players for our three EFL promotion-winning seasons.

But Wilshere says he has gauged opinion from senior members of the current Hatters squad before making a decision to switch this year’s base to Murcia, in Spain, where the Town will play a friendly on Saturday 25th July at the end of a week-long camp.

“I’m really excited about that because I know that the club has been to Slovenia for the last seven years and had some really good experiences, but I made it clear to the club that I think it’s a good idea that we make a change there,” Jack told LTFC+.

“Speaking to the players as well, and speaking to the leadership group – to Kal and Nahki and all those guys – about pre-season and their experiences, we wanted to freshen it up and go to a different environment.

“We wanted to play against a different type of opposition, because in pre-season we have to make sure that from day one – and we are going a little bit later as well – I want to make sure that we have got as much of the squad together for that trip so we can start to work on things that are going to help us in the season.

“But also to build the unity and togetherness in the group, because that was one of the biggest strengths of this season in my opinion. When we went through the tough times, that togetherness and that unity that everyone showed, we are going to need that again next year, so pre-season planning is well underway.

“We are looking at a couple of friendlies that we’ve already got in, but we are looking to plan a couple more and there is so much that goes into that.

“The coaches have been here for the last ten days trying to plan that, and we have to make sure that we plan and deliver a world-class pre-season because we have to be ready from day one.”

The first chance for Town fans to set eyes on the Hatters this summer is in the friendly on Saturday 11th July at Jack’s hometown club Hitchin Town.

A home game with Go Ahead Eagles has been confirmed for Sunday 2nd August, with a 1pm kick-off at Kenilworth Road, as well as that Saturday 25th July match at Murcia’s Pinatar Arena, which Town fans are welcome to attend.

Confirming that there will be additional fixtures, which may be played behind-closed-doors due to pitch availability and having to ensure that the whole squad gets enough playing time, Jack can’t help but look forward to his first pre-season as a manager.

“The Hitchin one I know is quite a traditional one here, and I’m obviously a Hitchin boy as well so it’s quite nice for me,” he continued.

“I know there is a connection with Go Ahead Eagles, so as much the opposition is important to us and we get the right challenge at the right time in pre-season, we also want the fans to be part of it and to enjoy pre-season with us.

“The behind-closed-doors friendlies are really important that we get them right, at the right time, because we need to manage players’ minutes, and we need to make sure that not just the starting XI going into next season, but the whole squad is ready – and that’s our focus now.”