Manchester City transfers: Defender completes League One loan move

Luke Mbete has completed a season-long loan move to Northampton Town from Manchester City.

The defender has made three appearances for City’s senior team, including a Champions League last-16 tie against Sporting Lisbon in March 2022. Mbete has spent the last two seasons on loan, with short-term deals at Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers followed by an entire campaign in the Dutch second tier with Den Bosch last term.

Mbete played twice for City in pre-season, and started in the 4-3 loss to Celtic. However, he will now spend the rest of the campaign in League One.

“We are very pleased to bring Luke in," manager Jon Brady told the club’s website. "He is very highly rated by Manchester City and we thank them for trusting us to continue the development of one of their young players. I am sure our reputation for developing players has again counted in our favour.

"Luke has a decent amount of experience in the Championship, League One and also abroad, and he has been in and around the Manchester City first team, both on their bench in the Premier League and also playing regularly during pre-season. He is keen to develop and from our conversations we know he is very keen to come here and play his part.”

The Cobblers began the new season with a 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers on Saturday and are next in action on Tuesday when they take on Wycombe Wanderers at home in the Carabao Cup, when Mbete could make his debut.