Barkley joins Luton on free transfer

Luton Town have signed former Everton, Chelsea and England midfielder Ross Barkley on a free transfer.

Barkley was released by Nice this summer after one season at the Ligue 1 club following his departure from Chelsea by mutual consent.

The 29-year-old said: "Why Luton? Going from the Conference to the Premier League is a great story and for me personally to be back in the Premier League, it's great motivation.

"I'm still relatively young and over the last couple of years I've not played as much as I'd have liked.

"But I've reserved a lot of energy and looked after myself, so it's great to be here now as I've got a lot to show but I'm ready and feeling motivated."

Barkley - who played for England at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and also had a loan spell at Aston Villa - could make his debut for the Hatters in their opening Premier League match at Brighton on Saturday.