As stories in football go, few are as remarkable as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's.
Ten years ago, the Luton Town midfielder was playing non-league football for the club, but will next season appear in the Premier League after his side secured promotion to the top flight by beating Coventry City on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Championship playoff final.
"You know what, I feel like I've completed football, I can retire!" Mpanzu said.
The first man to go from non-league to the Premier League with one club.@PellyRuddock 🫡#COVLUT | #COYH pic.twitter.com/3w2te5uUQ3
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 27, 2023
"It's been a journey. We've been through the highs and lows but, at the end of the day, you've got to believe in yourself and here I am, a Premier League player with... these boys and these fans.
"I told you, we were going to do it, and we're going to party all summer in Luton!"
It's been a sensational rise for Mpanzu who is the first player to climb from the fifth tier to the Premier League with the same club.
This is not just my story; it's the story of every dreamer out there.@LutonTown, we've made history together, and the journey has only just begun. Let's keep pushing boundaries, shattering expectations, and creating memories that will echo through the ages.#PellyRuddock #PRM pic.twitter.com/TiP3yPEpsi
— Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (@PellyRuddock) May 28, 2023
Mpanzu's journey through the divisions
| Seasons | Division | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | Conference Premier | 5 |
| 2014-18 | League Two | 4 |
| 2018-19 | League One | 3 |
| 2019-23 | Championship | 2 |
| 2023-? | Premier League | 1 |
'Gaffer said we would do it'
Elijah Adebayo, whose tremendous run set up the Hatters' only goal for Jordan Clark, said how Rob Edwards, the Luton manager, had got the players to believe that they would be promoted to the Premier League.
"This group is special," Adebayo said. "Commiserations to Coventry, it was a hell of a battle and they pushed us all the way.
"We've said it since the gaffer has come in. He said we were going to do it but we had to believe it.
"If you look at Luton, every year they seem to improve their position in the league. I just wanted to come here and do my best and aim for days like this.
"The fans who have been here since Luton were relegated to the conference, this is for them."