Chiedozie Ogbene and Luton Town finally got their first win of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon, as the Hatters took a memorable 2-1 win at Goodison Park.
The minnows were the story of last season in the Championship, with the size of the club and particularly their home stadium making their promotion to the Premier League a feel-good story.
In order to stay afloat in the top flight, they made several major acquisitions over the summer transfer window, with the Premier League experience of Tim Krul, Marvelous Nakamba, and Ross Barkley joined by ex-Manchester United academy prospects Tahith Chong and Teden Mengi, among several others.
The most intriguing signing from the perspective of Irish football fans was that of Republic of Ireland international Chiedozie Ogbene on a free transfer from Rotherham, with the Corkman - like Luton themselves - set to play Premier League football for the first time.
After starting the first four games of the season on the bench, Ogbene has finally found his place in the starting XI in recent weeks and, with Luton's results improving, he has rightfully earned praise from manager Rob Edwards this week.
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Chiedozie Ogbene earns high praise from Luton Town boss
10 September 2023; Chiedozie Ogbene of Republic of Ireland in action against Nathan Aké of Netherlands during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Chiedozie Ogbene struggled for game time in the early weeks of the season, with the Ireland international resigned to minutes off the bench as Luton Town endured a torrid start to Premier League life.
Four losses from four was not the start Luton would have hoped for, though results have improved since Ogbene came into the starting line-up for last week's game against Wolves.
A first Premier League point in that game was followed by a first Premier League win against Everton - and manager Rob Edwards has praised Ogbene's flexibility and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team as crucial in both results.
Edwards said that the signing of Ogbene was "great business," and that he was encouraged by his excellent performances in recent weeks:
Chieo, what a guy. It's a great bit of business, that's why we wanted him. He's flexible, you saw the position he ended up in at the end of the game. We were able to put him deeper when we were weathering some pressure.
But then we trust him as one of our most threatening players in the front line...to then put him in at left wingback and he helped us see the game out as well.
Again, he's another selfless player who does whatever we ask him to for the team.
His performances have been great, so he's been a really, really good bit of business again by the recruitment team.
Luton are back in action on Tuesday night at home against Burnley, hoping to kickstart a solid run of form as they fight to preserve their place in the Premier League. Irish fans will be hoping that any such fight will make good use of Chiedozie Ogbene.
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