Ross Barkley has left Luton Town to sign for Aston Villa.
The 30-year-old midfielder will move back to Villa Park, having previously played for the Birmingham-based club on loan in the 2020/21 season.
Barkley has signed a deal of undisclosed length with the Villains, who will be competing in the Champions League next season.
Former Everton and Chelsea man Barkley had joined Luton a year ago after being released by French side Nice. He made 37 appearances for Luton in all competitions, scoring five goals and contributing six assists.
For his work, Barkley won the Loyal Luton and Luton Town Supporter’s Trust Player of the Year prizes.
Before joining Luton, Barkley had made 33 international appearances for the England team.
In a goodbye message on his social media, Barkley thanked Luton for his time with the club.
He said, “Thank you Luton Town.
“I’m extremely grateful to Rob & his staff for believing in me & giving me the opportunity to play for such a special football club.
“I can’t thank the fans enough for the support you have shown me. I’ll genuinely miss playing at the Kenny with that atmosphere you create!
“I wish you all the very best in the future, fingers crossed you bounce straight back!”
Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet told the club’s official website that he pleased with Barkley for joining the club and wished him well.
He said, “To have a player of Ross Barkley’s stature and class grace the Kenilworth Road pitch has been an absolute joy to watch for all of us Luton Town supporters.
“To be able to give him a home for a season and a haven for the rest of his career – he knows he can always lean on us – is an absolute win-win situation for both parties.
“Ross came here and bought into everything that Luton Town is about. He’s loved his time at the club and of course, every single one of us would choose Champions League football over the Championship, so no-one should ever question his decision to want to rejoin Aston Villa.
“We thank him for his service to the football club in the short time he has been here, and wish him every success at Villa Park and in the future.”
The centre:mk shopping centre has announced the return of the Middleton Hall beach for 2024.
The indoor beach will return at the Milton Keynes-based shopping centre from 19th July 2024, and will be in place until 1st September.
Multiple attractions will take place as part of the beach’s return, including a variety of fair rides to keep the whole family entertained from Bungees and Helter Skelter, and the ever-popular shark Roller Coaster.
Free activities are also planned for visitors, including a Punch & Judy show on every Tuesday throughout the Summer Holidays from 11pm, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. There will also be Face Painting on every Thursday throughout the Summer Holidays at 12pm to 3pm.
Visitors are advised to note this is a free activity which is subject to change without prior notice.
Visitors are also advised to note restrictions may apply on rides, and that adults may need to accompany children on rides and will need to purchase tokens accordingly. All access to rides is at the discretion of the operator.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious injury road traffic collision in Milton Keynes.
The incident happened in Pinders Croft, Greenleys, at just after 7.15pm on Saturday (29/6).
In the incident, a three-year-old child sustained a broken leg when his pedal cycle he was riding was involved in a collision with a red Range Rover Evoque.
The boy was taken to hospital for treatment, and he remains there at this time. The driver of the Range Rover stopped at the scene and no arrests have been made.
Investigating officer PC Adam Stevens of the Roads Policing Unit, lead Thames Valley Police’s appeal by saying, “This collision occurred in the early evening and I am appealing to anybody who witnessed it to please get in touch with us.
“If you were driving in the area and have dash-cam, I would urge you to please check this and contact us if it has captured anything that may assist my investigation.
“You can get in touch by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43240307397.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after a sexual assault on a bus in Milton Keynes.
As part of their appeal, Thames Valley Police have released an image of a man who could have important information relating to the incident.
The incident happened at around 4.45pm on the number six bus service in Milton Keynes on Tuesday 18th June.
A man sat next to the victim, a woman aged in her 20s, and touched her inappropriately.
Investigator Beth Willis, based at Milton Keynes police station, lead police’s appeals by saying, “We are appealing for the man in this picture, or anyone who knows him, to come forward, as we think he could have important information about this incident.
“If you are this man, or if you know him, please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 43240286535.
“Alternatively, you can make a report online, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenage boy was forced into a car before having his phone stolen.
The incident happened in Milton Keynes on Thursday (27/6) at about 6.50pm.
Four people got out of a blue Vauxhall Astra before chasing two 16-year-old boys from Lanercost Crescent into Lindores Croft.
The offenders then caught one of the boys and forced him into their vehicle before stealing his white iPhone.
In their appeal, police confirmed that the boy was not injured as a result of the incident.
Thames Valley Police described the offenders as all male, aged between about 18 and 21. Three of them are described as black and about 5ft 10ins tall. One was wearing a baseball cap and another had messy, possibly braided hair.
The final offender is described as being mixed heritage with cornrows and light eyes.
Investigator Sophie Gibbs said, “This is a concerning incident, which has led to a boy being forced into a car before being robbed.
“We are carrying out an investigation to try and locate those responsible, but if you think you have information which could help us, please call 101, quoting reference number 43240301381.
“You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or make a report online.”
