Ex-Chelsea star Victor Moses returns to England with shock Championship move

Luton Town have announced the surprise signing of Victor Moses on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old won the Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2016/17 season.

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The former Nigerian international last played in Russia for Spartak Moscow, where he started in 2021.

Now he is back in English football after securing a move to the Championship club.

Manager Rob Edwards said: “Victor is someone we have been talking to for some time. He trained with us last week and played 60 minutes in a game behind closed doors and we have made the decision because we believe he can help us.

“He gives us more strength in depth and versatility because he is someone who can play on either side or as a number ten.

“He has played for so many different clubs in different ways and formats and under different managers, so he knows tactics. We believe he is someone who can offer us really good competition.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him and expect too much too soon. He won’t jump right into the games and play from the start.”

“He needs to get used to what we do and how we play, but he’s fit, he can step in and make an impact now and he definitely makes the team stronger.”

Speaking to the club, Moses added: “I’m looking forward to it.

“I had a few offers from Europe but I told my agent I was determined to stay here and here we are. I’m very pleased and honoured to be at this club and I can’t wait to get started.”

“I spoke to Rob before I came, I spoke to the directors and they told me the plan and the history of the club and I just want to be part of the success.

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“I want to come here and enjoy football, work hard for the club and the team and get back where we belong: the Premier League.”

Moses’ extensive club career in English football, having started out at Crystal Palace under Neil Warnock.

He left Selhurst Park in 2010 to join then Premier League club Wigan, where he spent the next three seasons.

Chelsea eventually called and played 128 times for the club, winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League twice.

He spent several loan spells with clubs such as Liverpool, Stoke, West Ham, Fenerbahce, Inter Milan and Spartak Moscow before joining the Russian club permanently.

Moses also won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013.

His former manager at Palace Warnock revealed the text message he sent to Moses just minutes after that win and how one piece of advice changed his career.

“We were playing against Cardiff one night and it was pouring with rain,” he said. “I took him out onto the pitch and said, ‘Victor, you’ve got so much potential and you’re not going to get anywhere. Go out there and show me what you can do.’

“We won 1-0 and he was man of the match. I went out onto the pitch afterwards, put my arm around him and welcomed him to the real world.”

“A few years later he went to Chelsea and played for Nigeria – he played in the Africa Cup of Nations and was named player of the tournament. After a game I texted him and within four minutes I got a reply.

“He texted me, ‘I’ll never forget Cardiff.’

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“That’s why I’m in the game, I still get goosebumps now. Otherwise he could have gone somewhere else and played outside the league.”

Now the 33-year-old hopes to lead Luton back to the Premier League after their relegation last season.

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