Blackpool boss Bruce talks about Apter interest, Charlton defeat Dartford while Rankin-Costello and Burke sign
It's the latest review of the week for the Addicks
There was a fairly hefty amount of Charlton Athletic news around in the last seven days - including two signings, speculation surrounding a Blackpool winger, another contract extension and a 3-2 friendly win at Dartford.
APTER INTEREST CONFIRMED
Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones had absolutely no desire to shed any light on being linked with Blackpool attacker Rob Apter, but his opposite number Steve Bruce was a little more chatty on the subject.
Jones told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition that it would be “wrong of me to speculate on anyone” when asked about the 22-year-old right winger.
It was exactly the response you expected from the Addicks boss.
In comparison, Bruce was positively effusive when he was quizzed by the Blackpool Gazette following their pre-season friendly against AFC Fylde on Saturday: "We’ve had conversations with Charlton, but where it’s at, I really don’t know - that’s for others to talk about.
“We don’t want to sell Rob, but we all know in football that everyone has their price. Whether there’s any more developments, I’m not too sure.
“He’s a dying breed. He’s one of those that can go past people and make something happen. None of us want him to go, but it’s football. It’s obviously a difficult situation, for Rob he could get to the Championship."
MORE DEALS EYED
Nathan Jones passes on instructions during Charlton’s friendly at Dartford
Picture: Keith Gillard
One thing that Nathan Jones was happy to make clear at the weekend is that Charlton Athletic’s transfer business is nowhere near done.
Asked about more new arrivals, the Welshman said: “Recruitment is ongoing - we're not finished yet.
"We need more quality, in terms of how we play and what we do. We need to add that quality, that's what we've done. We've got a good base now to work from with the people we've brought in.
"Thomas (Kaminski) is a wonderful signing, Burke (Reece Burke) is going to be fantastic for us and Amari'i (Bell) is a wonderful, wonderful signing. So we've got that strength and then we've added a bit more quality in terms of Sonny (Carey) and Joe (Rankin-Costello). But we still want that real top-end quality and that is what we are striving to bring in."
Dan Kanu, Greg Docherty and Micah Mbick scored for the Addicks as they started their pre-season schedule with a 3-2 victory at Dartford on Saturday.
The fixture against Isthmian League Premier Division opposition saw Jones opt to field two different teams in each half, goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer the only exception as he featured for 60 minutes before being replaced by Tommy Reid.
There is a bonus post-match pod here reviewing the action.
“We came off (last season) keeping a clean sheet at Wembley against a very, very good side - so to concede two today is the only thing I’m disappointed with,” said Jones. “The way we moved the ball was excellent. It is a hot, sticky day but structurally we were excellent. We created enough chances to have won by more.
“It was important to win the game because winning is a habit and we’ve got used to doing that.”
While there were first runouts for Burke, Carey and Olaofe there were also notable absences at Princes Park - Miles Leaburn, Matty Godden, Kaminksi, Bell, Rankin-Costello, Will Mannion, Luke Berry and Hassan Ahadme.
Charlton jetted off to Slovenia yesterday for a training camp.
“We’ll take a strong squad - there will be six or seven who haven’t been involved today (Saturday) that will come to Slovenia,” said Jones. “We will trim that down, it will probably be a more experienced group coming.
“The tests get better as we go along.”
Did we learn a whole lot from the match against the Darts?
Not really, no.
Pre-season is always about building fitness and match sharpness as the first priority. The second priority is not picking up an injuries.
Picture: Keith Gillard
Academy produce Henry Rylah, 19, produced a lively performance in the opening 45 minutes. The teenager saw plenty of the ball down the Charlton right and put in a number of dangerous crosses, with Kanu finishing one at the near post to open the scoring in the sixth minute.
Rylah (pictured above) dragged a chance wide of the target after a piercing through ball by Kayne Ramsay.
Charlton’s spot-kick, tucked away by Docherty, looked extremely harsh on Dartford defender George Whitefield, penalised for handball by referee Ben McDonald.
Former Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Samir Carruthers made his thoughts known during the drinks break shortly after that.
“The softest penalty I’ve ever seen - soft as s***.”
The second half lacked the same talking points or goalmouth action. Ikechi Eze, the older brother of Crystal Palace star Eberechi, flashed a free-kick narrowly wide for the hosts.
Charlton huffed and puffed a fair bit but did find a breakthrough in the 84th minute. Nathan Asiimwe played a one-two with Carey to find some space on the right of the box and his pullback was converted by Mbick.
Next up is HNK Gorica on Saturday (11am BST time) which will be streamed on the club’s TV channel.
SIX SIGNINGS IN THE BAG
Joe Rankin-Costello’s arrival from Blackburn Rovers on Friday made it six signings in the transfer window for the Addicks.
Want to know more about the new man?
Well, we got the lowdown from Lancashire Telegraph’s Elliott Jackson on the 25-year-old, who has signed a contract until the summer of 2029.
Nathan Jones has been more than happy to cherry pick some players from his old club Luton Town.
Summer transfer window signing Reece Burke unleashes a strike in Saturday’s match at Princes Park
Picture: Keith Gillard
The 28-year-old played the second half of the Dartford friendly on the right of a back three.
Burke, who also took on captaincy duties, looked calm and composed in possession (of course far sterner examinations are still to come) and even stepped forward to have a shot which the home keeper made heavy work of keeping out.
LEABURN DEAL
Miles Leaburn extended his Charlton Athletic contract on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old forward’s old deal was set to end next June. Leaburn’s fresh terms take him up to the summer of 2028. He still managed to net double figures last season despite injury issues.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Leaburn’s dad Carl also played up front for the Addicks while mum Tracey is head of first-team player care.
“My dad has been supporting me ever since I started kicking a ball - always giving me advice,” Leaburn told Charlton’s official website. “He has been to most of my games throughout my career. Everyone looks up to their dad and it made me say: ‘Yeah, I’m going to be a footballer as well’.
“Signing a new deal means a lot, especially with the family culture at this club and how much it means to me. The gaffer and the club still have a lot of faith in me, my potential and ability, and I feel I’ve still got a lot to give this club.
“I really think this club is going somewhere.”
SKEELS PAYS THE BILLS
Kiera Skeels, Elisha N’Dow, Karin Muya, Gloria Siber and Charlotte Newsham have signed new contracts at Charlton Athletic Women.
Skeels (below) has skippered the Addicks for three of her four years at the club and has made more than 100 appearances.
Picture: Keith Gillard
“As a team we have progressed, and I really feel like I want to be part of it for the next two seasons,” said Skeels.
Siber, 21, has agreed a one-year deal with a club option of another 12 months.
Siber was nominated for Rising Star in the WSL award at the end of the last campaign.
Forward Muya has scored six goals in 40 appearances while defender N’Dow, 28, is set for her fourth campaign on Charlton’s books. Both have signed one-year contracts.
WATT’S NEXT STEP IS SORTED
Valley favourite Tony Watt has fixed up his next club - Partick Thistle.
The ex-Charlton Athletic striker, who exclusively spoke to South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition last month, has penned a two-year contract with the Jags.
Thistle head coach Mark Wilson said: “To secure a player like Tony is a real coup for the club. I played with him briefly when he was a youngster at Celtic and he’s gone on to have a distinguished career since then.
“He arrives here as a very experienced player who had an excellent season the last time he was playing at this level and we want to give him the platform to perform like that again.”
Former Charlton Athletic loanee Tyreeq Bakinson has signed for Leyton Orient, who saw their Championship promotion dreams go up in smoke after losing to the south Londoners at Wembley in May.
The 26-year-old midfielder has signed a three-year contract and moves from Wycombe Wanderers. The Addicks defeated the Buckinghamshire club over two legs in the play-off semi-final to set up their high-pressure showdown against the O’s.
Picture: Keith Gillard
Orient boss Richie Wellens said: "Technically, he's an excellent player, and he's coming into an age now where we feel he is ready to hit the peak of his abilities.
"Recently losing a couple of midfielders, we needed someone of Tyreeq's ability to come in and fill that void. We're confident he can bring real athleticism and tenacity into our midfield, and I'm excited to see what he can do in an Orient shirt."
Dean Bouzanis has not been a free agent for long.
Charlton signed the 34-year-old on a short-term deal in March to make sure they had goalkeeping cover for the League One run in.
Bouzanis has agreed a one-year contract with Brisbane Roar for the A League 2025-26 season.
“I’m looking forward to giving 100 per cent every week and winning games of football,” said the Sydney-born stopper, who was an unused sub in seven of the Addicks’ final nine matches of the regulation campaign. Maynard-Brewer provided back-up to Mannion in the play-off games.
Bromley?