The popular front man had spent a successful loan spell at Kenilworth Road, scoring 4 goals in 8 appearances for the Hatters and prompting Harford to make his first cash signing since taking charge at Kenilworth Road.

Tom began his career as a defender, before being converted into a striker and he came through the ranks with Middlesbrough, being a member of their FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2003-04. He made a breakthrough into the first-team when he appeared as a substitute in the final game of the 2005-06 season against Fulham, having already scored 20 goals for the Reserve team.

He joined Wrexham on a month's loan in late October 2006. He scored the winning goal on his debut for the Dragons, but the next day it was discovered he had suffered a knee injury, ruling him out for six weeks.

In mid-February 2008, Tom joined League One side Hartlepool United on a month's loan, making four appearances before returning to the Riverside Stadium. During the summer of 2008, he signed a one-year contract extension with Middlesbrough.

Tom continued his impressive form for Middlesbrough's Reserve side during the 2008-09 campaign, bagging seven goals in three appearances upon his switch to Kenilworth Road.

Tom had an excellent loan spell at Kenilworth Road, netting two valuable goals in only his second appearance for the Hatters in a 2-2 draw at fellow relegation rivals Grimsby Town.

A further goal in a vital 2-1 victory at Bury in the next match firmly cemented him in the Luton Town side, with manager Mick Harford full of praise for the clever runs Tom made and his clinical finishing.

With Tom’s loan extended into a second, and then into a third month with the Hatters, he scored another vital goal in a 2-2 draw at Chesterfield on Boxing Day that helped earn a valuable point away from home.

Having scored 4 goals in 8 League appearances for Luton Town, Tom’s loan period expired in mid-January 2009 and he returned to his parent club, Middlesbrough. However, seen as vital to the Hatters’ bid to avoid relegation from the Football League, manager Mick Harford made an £80,000 offer to Middlesbrough to sign Tom on a permanent basis and he got his man, bringing Tom to Bedfordshire to help Luton Town in their quest for “The Great Escape”.

Tom continued where he left off after signing permanently for the Hatters, as he netted regularly to finish the season with 12 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for Luton Town during the 2008-09 campaign. Unfortunately, his goals were not enough to save the Hatters being relegated from the Football League after their 30-point deduction.

However, Tom did win a trophy during the season, playing a huge part as the Hatters won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion in front of the live Sky television cameras in the semi-final, second leg, Tom also bagged the second of the Hatters’ three goals as they shocked Scunthorpe United 3-2 at Wembley in the final. Some 40,000 Luton Town fans packed out Wembley Stadium, with Tom scoring a fine goal at the Hatters’ end of the Stadium to send the Luton Town fans delirious.