Luton Town: Hatters confirm deal for former Leyton Orient defender Scott Cuthbert

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Luton Town have signed former Leyton Orient centre back Scott Cuthbert on a two-year deal.

The Scottish defender becomes the Hatters’ second signing of the summer following the capture of striker Jack Marriott, and arrives at Kenilworth Road after two seasons in east London with the O’s.

Town boss John Still told lutontown.co.uk: “When you set your targets you don’t always get them but Scott was the one we wanted. We stuck at it and we’ve got him.

“He’s impressed us as we didn’t have to push him towards us, he wanted to come here. Scott’s dropped a level but he thinks he can get back up to League One and beyond in his time with us.

“He’s a warrior, he’s got leadership qualities; he’s a good talker and a good organiser. When you sign an experienced player like this you want them to put it to good use and I think Scott will.

“He was the top man at Orient and I’m delighted with this capture. We felt it was important to bring in a player that will come in and make all our centre-backs look at each other and ask ‘who is going to play?’ And that’s what we want.”

Cuthbert, whose contract expired at Brisbane Road, will compete with the likes of Steve McNulty and Luke Wilkinson for a place in Still’s first choice back four. He was a member of Orient’s squad which lost in the League One play-off final last season before they were relegated to League Two in the campaign just gone.

The 27-year-old began his career north of the border with Celtic and also represented Livingston and St Mirren in Scotland.

He moved south to sign for Swindon Town in July 2009 before joining Orient in 2011.

Cuthbert told Hatters Player: “It was important, coming down to League Two, that it needed to be the right club. I don’t think Luton could be more perfect.

“The support is fantastic, the manager has all the experience in the world and I know Kevin Dearden from my days with Leyton Orient and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the place. I don’t think there’s a better fit for me.

“The aim is promotion – I wouldn’t have come to this club if I didn’t think that was possible.”