Shandon Baptiste is targeting more game time and a return to the Premier League after completing his move to Luton Town.

The 26-year-old made 76 appearances in four-and-a-half years with Brentford prior to his release at the end of his Bees contract this summer, but only 22 of those were in the starting XI.

But after overcoming serious injuries, the former Oxford United midfielder believes he is entering his prime and wants to help bring success to Kenilworth Road.

Recalling his early years in youth football prior to joining Oxford’s academy, Baptiste says: “I was released from Reading because I was too small, but I’ve grown up a bit now and hopefully I’m hitting my best years, so hopefully these next few years can be positive for me and the club.”

On his time at Brentford, he went on: “It was good. I had some injuries there, but as a whole, it got me to where I always dreamed of playing, which is in the Premier League and I spent three seasons with Brentford there.

“That was really good, but ultimately I wasn’t playing enough and I want to be playing, so hopefully I can come here, play, show what I can do and help this football club.”

The squad he joins has benefitted from a season playing in the top division, and Baptiste adds: “I think with the boys playing there last season, we all gained the same experience so hopefully we can all help each other grow and become better.”

Asked about his goals for the coming season, he replied: “Playing. That’s the big one for me. I just want to be playing. I’ve lost a lot of time through injuries and other things, so playing is a big one for me and hopefully I can just help the boys and the club and we can do something special here.”

The Grenada-born midfielder knows he is joining a down-to-earth group of players whose togetherness was clear for the nation to see in the Premier League last term.

“I think it’s always good,” says Baptiste. “You always want to make a quick connection with your team-mates and from the outside looking in, the club as a whole looks fantastic and everyone I speak to has said that as well.

“It’s definitely important to be somewhere you feel at home and you can be your natural self, it’s very important.”

Did manager Rob Edwards’ pre-move chat sell the club to him? “Yes, it was very good and he was lovely to meet. I feel like he probably epitomises what the club is, and meeting everyone here has been just great.”

Baptiste describes himself as “a box-to-box midfielder” who “likes to glide past players to create”.

He adds: “I just like to help the team. For me it’s about showing the manager that and showing the fans that.”

When asked to recall his loan spell at National League South club Hampton & Richmond Borough, playing with semi-professionals early on in his Oxford career, Baptiste gives an insight into the work ethic that has been drummed into him from a young age.

“It taught me that people are fighting for three points, people are fighting to get paid, people are fighting for different reasons. I saw people play at 7 and 8 o’clock, finish at 10 or 11 o’clock, get home at 2am and go to work again at 6am.

“It showed me to appreciate where I am, don’t take it for granted and use every day to my advantage. I would like to think I have done that, and hopefully I can keep doing that now I am here.”

Finally, Baptiste was reminded that although he scored in Brentford’s 3-1 win over us in west London last December, he has already scored for the Hatters – an own goal in our 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road in February 2020.

“Yes, I had forgotten it – so thanks for reminding me!” he smiled. “It’s 1-1 so I’ve helped out both ways, but hopefully I can score more goals now I am in this shirt and help the team.”