Defensive midfielder Tom Krauß has swapped the German top-flight for a campaign in the Championship after agreeing a season-long loan from Bundesliga outfit Mainz – subject to international clearance and work permit approval.
German Under-21 international Krauß, pronounced ‘Krauss’, has enjoyed the past two seasons in Germany’s first division in his homeland, featuring 61 times in the Bundesliga for Schalke in 2022/23 and Mainz last term.
Leipzig-born Tom is a product of the Red Bull Leipzig academy and was the first player born in the city to make their debut for the first team.
The midfielder also has experience in the German second tier, playing 63 games across two seasons while on loan at FC Nürnberg.
His arrival gives the Hatters further options in the middle of the park following the summer captures of Shandon Baptiste and Liam Walsh.
Town boss Rob Edwards said: “Once we knew there was an opportunity and an interest, we undertook a lot of work to look at Tom – and he’s shown he’s a player that suits Luton Town really, really well.
“He’s 23 but has a wealth of experience in the Bundesliga and is an under-21 international. He’s young but he’s hungry to find a home again. He’s at an age where he’s still got lots of room for growth.
“What we like about Tom is that he’s aggressive, full of running, wants to press, wants to play and wants to recover the ball quickly.
We won’t get to see Tom straight away – he’s recovering having picked up a slight knock while in training with Mainz recently – but what’s been brilliant for us is how keen he is to join – he’s the one pushing it, he wants to play for us.
“That speaks volumes; how far we’ve come and our level of ambition, to take a player with so much experience of the German top-flight.”
A delighted Tom told LTFC+: “I’m really excited to take my first step outside of Germany and I’m ready for my next chapter here at Luton.
“I like English football and English fans, and that’s why I’m here and I can’t wait. I can’t wait to play my first minutes in front of the supporters. I’ve seen the last two games and the fans in England are crazy, and I’m like that as a player.
“For me, the fans are what football is all about. They are important for clubs and for the players, so I like to speak with them and celebrate with them during games.
“It’s a different style of football compared to Germany but I’ve had a lot of experience in the first and second leagues, playing 130 games or so in four years – lots of games against Bayern Munich – and that’s helped me.”
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