Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has been named manager of League One side Luton Town. The 33-year-old succeeds Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked earlier this month having spent less than a year in charge at Kenilworth Road.

It is Wilshere's first full-time managerial role, taking over a Luton side 11th in the third tier following back-to-back relegations. He beat Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens to the role and is believed to have signed a three-year deal. Chris Powell has also joined Luton as Wilshere's assistant - the former England left-back had been at Walsall for just two weeks as interim first-team coach, coming in to cover for Gary Waddock as he recovers from ankle surgery.

"It's a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager," Wilshere told the club's official site, having left the Hatters aged nine to join Arsenal. "It feels like a full-circle moment for me. I was eight when I first came to Luton as a boy, so I guess you could say it's fate that my first full-time club managerial position is at this club.

"This club's story inspires me. Built on belief, unity, and hard work. The club have shown incredible character on and off the pitch in recent times, and I'm honoured to lead to take the responsibility to lead this group into the future."

After retiring as a player in 2022, Wilshere had a spell in charge of Arsenal's under-18 team, and spent much of last season as a first-team coach at Championship club Norwich City. He was named interim head coach for the Canaries' final two league games following Johannes Hoff Thorup's departure, before leaving Carrow Road at the end of the campaign.

Luton won promotion to the Premier League under Rob Edwards in 2023, but the Hatters spent just one season in the top flight and suffered a second consecutive relegation last season. Bloomfield was appointed when Edwards left Kenilworth Road in January, but the former Wycombe Wanderers boss was unable to keep Luton in the Championship and won only 12 of his 33 games in charge.

Wilshere's first match as Luton manager will be a home fixture against Mansfield Town on Saturday. "He has impressed everyone involved in our extensive selection process with his passion for football, his determination to succeed in management and his deep knowledge of all things Luton Town," said Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet.

Wilshere made his professional debut as a 16-year-old for Arsenal in 2008 and twice won the FA Cup with the Gunners, making almost 200 appearances before leaving for West Ham United in 2018. He later had spells with Bournemouth and Danish side Aarhus before retiring aged 30. At international level Wilshere played 34 times for England, appearing at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.