From Non-League to the Premier League: Ruddock Mpanzu's unique journey with Luton

Few have played in non-League and reached the Premier League in their careers, but none have played for the same team all the way through and reached the same destination.

Enter Ruddock Mpanzu, the technically gifted player who joined Luton Town ten years ago and is the only player to be promoted from Non-league to the Premier League.

Mpanzu reached this magnificent feat when his side beat Coventry City at Wembley in the Championship Playoff Final on penalties after the game finished 1-1.

Mpanzu and his Luton teammates kick off their Premier League campaign with an extremely tough test against last season's highflyers Brighton.

According to premierleague.com, speaking after the playoff final win, Mpanzu said: "You know what, I feel like I've completed football. I can retire! I told you; we were going to do it."

"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."

Mpanzu initially joined Luton Town from his parent club West Ham United in November 2013, showcasing his versatility and athleticism, playing in midfield and central defense.

The box-to-box midfielder joined Luton on a permanent deal in 2014, providing crucial goals and assists as 'The Hatters' would earn promotion to the Football League as champions.

Mpanzu's first season in League Two was plagued with injuries, playing only 18 games in the first year due to a rare calcification of the hamstring muscle.

In the following season, Mpanzu played 52 games as Luton lost in the playoffs to Blackpool. He signed a three-year contract with the club in 2017 and earned promotion the season after to League One.

The midfielder went on to play 46 games in his only season in League One, chipping five goals as Luton were crowned champions in 2019, earning back-to-back promotions.

Mpanzu yet again found it easier than most to step up to another level, playing 44 games and earning Luton's Player of the Season, becoming a key contributor to Luton's survival in the Championship.

Luton remained on the fence of England's elite for another three more seasons before finally ensuring their promotion back to the big time this year.

The Luton man, who has now made over 300 appearances for the club, looked destined for a change, but he recently signed a new deal to confirm he will be playing in the Premier League this season.

In the last ten years, Ruddock Mpanzu has succeeded at every level he has played at, and he will need to step up to the plate this season to give Luton the best chance of survival.

Mpanzu's story is surely one of the greatest English football stories of all time and will come close to the Jamie Vardy story if he helps keep Luton up this year.