Bedford Town Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Luke Pennell. The 26 year old joins the Eagles having played at the highest end of the non league pyramid throughout his career. The central defender joins us from National League South side Braintree Town.

Luke has played twice for England C, scoring one goal back in 2018. We're also delighted to confirm that Luke has signed a one year contract with the club, which will see him remain at the Eyrie until the summer of 2023.

Pennell was born in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and started his career with local side Milton Keynes Dons. During this period he also spent time at AFC Rushden & Diamonds, featuring for the under-18 and under-21 sides, making 15 appearances and scoring once between 2012 and 2013. In March 2014, he joined Southern Football League Premier Division side Banbury United for a one-month spell, making six appearances and scoring twice.

After leaving Milton Keynes in the summer of 2015, he signed for Southern League Premier Division side Dunstable Town. His form for the Blues alerted professional clubs and Pennell spent time on trial with Premier League side Norwich City and Football League sides Burnley, Fulham, Peterborough United and Fleetwood Town. He was offered a professional contract by League One side Fleetwood Town, but he turned the move down due to financial and logistical problems. However, none of the trials proved successful and Pennell returned to playing for Dunstable in January 2016.

In March 2016, he signed for League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-year contract with the option of a further year, after manager John Still learned of his availability following his trial at Norwich. He made his professional debut in April 2016, replacing Justin Hoyte as a substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Leyton Orient as the Daggers were relegated to the National League for the first time in nine years. In May 2019, it was announced that he would be released following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2018–19 campaign.

On 1 July 2019, he signed for National League South side Maidstone United on a free transfer, re-uniting with former Dagenham boss John Still. Following spells with Gloucester City and Hemel Hempstead Town, Pennell joined Braintree Town ahead of the 2021–22 campaign. During his time in Essex, he went onto feature 42 times as the club fought off relegation from the National League South. He left Braintree at the end of his contract in June 2022 and has today signed for the Eagles.

Speaking to www.bedfordeagles.net, manager Gary Setchell commented "When Jon made me aware that Luke might be available, it was a no brainer to speak to him and see if he would come over to the Eyrie. He is a player who is strong and played at the top end of Non League for many years. Special thanks go to Jon for enabling this to happen, through his connection with Luke already."

Luke is the latest player to go in to Gary Setchell's squad for the new PitchingIn Southern League season which starts six weeks today. This time next week, we'll be underway with our preseason campaign at the Eyrie with the visit of AFC Wimbledon. You can secure your tickets for this fixture, and all our pre-season games at the Eyrie now, by visiting the club's online box office by clicking here.