Ebbsfleet United have today signed winger Luke Rooney from Luton Town. The 24-year-old player, who has played more than 100 times in the Football League, operates primarily on the left flank and was the Hatters’ second top scorer this season.
He began his career at Gillingham, breaking into the first team in 2008 and playing alongside Stuart Lewis, while he also had spells on loan at Lewes and Eastbourne Borough. After 50+ games and six goals for the Gills, Swindon Town made a six-figure bid for the player and signed him on a two-and-a-half year contract in January 2012, winning the League Two championship in the process that season.
Further loan spells at Burton Albion, Rotherham United and Crawley Town followed, together with a short period at Maidstone, before John Still signed Luke to bolster Luton’s promotion push in March 2014. The winger helped the Hatters to win promotion to the Football League and subsequently signed a new six-month deal at Kenilworth Road.
He made 13 League Two and FA Cup appearances, scoring five times, for Luton this season before agreeing a deal with Jamie Day and the Fleet. Luton boss Still said of Rooney’s departure, “Luke hasn’t featured so much recently after coming back to fitness so with that in mind we came to a decision to allow him to pursue a club elsewhere.
“He did a good job for us, especially early in the season, which helped us pick up form on our return to the Football League – and for that we are grateful. I wish him all the best of luck.”