Marvelous Nakamba’s time at Luton Town has officially come to an end, with the Championship club terminating the Zimbabwean midfielder’s contract.
Nakamba was later on confirmed as a new Sheffield Wednesday player for the remainder of the current campaign.
The 32-year-old defensive midfielder leaves Kenilworth Road having played a key role in one of the most memorable periods in the club’s recent history.
Nakamba: From loan signing to promotion hero
Nakamba initially joined the Hatters on loan from Aston Villa during the January transfer window of the 2022/23 season.
He quickly became a vital figure in midfield, making 20 appearances as Luton surged towards Premier League promotion.
His place in club folklore was sealed at Wembley, where he confidently converted his penalty in the dramatic shoot-out victory over Coventry City.
The moment sparked scenes few Luton fans will ever forget, with Nakamba’s song echoing around the national stadium.
Nakamba’s permanent return and cruel injury setback
That success paved the way for a permanent move.
Two months later, during Luton’s pre-season training camp in Slovenia, Nakamba returned, this time on a three-year deal after the Hatters agreed a transfer with Aston Villa.
He began the 2023/24 season strongly, mirroring the form that had made him a fan favourite.
However, his campaign was cut short after suffering a knee injury while on World Cup qualifying duty with Zimbabwe, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Nakamba featured 23 times last season and added a further four appearances this term, bringing his total to 61 outings for Luton Town across all competitions.
Despite injury setbacks, his influence and leadership remained evident both on and off the pitch.
Luton Town pay tribute to ‘a special character’
Confirming his departure, Hatters CEO Gary Sweet paid tribute to the midfielder’s impact at the club.
“Marvelous has been a huge part of our success, a special character who came to add real quality at the time we needed it to help us to promotion,” Sweet said.
“He has been a pleasure to have around the Club, always smiling, even through some tough times personally with injury.
“Everyone at Luton Town thanks Marv for his contribution in his three years at Kenilworth Road. He will always be a welcome visitor, and we wish him every success for his future career.”
New chapter at Hillsborough
Following the termination of his contract, Nakamba has joined Sheffield Wednesday for the remainder of the current campaign, opening the next chapter of a well-travelled career.
A career built across Europe
Nakamba began his professional journey at Bantu Rovers in Zimbabwe before moving to French side AS Nancy in 2012.
He later enjoyed a three-year spell with Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands before joining Belgian giants Club Brugge in 2017.
His performances earned him a move to Aston Villa in 2019, where he made 58 Premier League appearances over four seasons.
