Charlton Athletic in talks with Lyndon Dykes and Matty Godden - Tyreece Campbell contract clause is activated
Midfielders Luke Berry and Terry Taylor released by the South Londoners
Charlton Athletic have revealed they are still in talks with Lyndon Dykes and Matty Godden as they explore keeping the frontmen for the 2026-27 Championship season.
And they have also activated a contract extension clause extending Tyreece Campbell’s stay in SE7 for a further 12 months.
The Addicks issued a statement on their official website confirming that Luke Berry and Terry Taylor will be released. The pair’s terms expire at the end of June.
Every EFL club has to announce their retained and released list.
Charlton were never going to allow Campbell, one of their prize assets, to leave this summer. The 25-year-old Jamaican international scored three goals and collected as many assists in 45 league matches in his maiden campaign in England’s second tier.
The Addicks also have an automatic trigger on the deal that Godden signed when he arrived from Coventry City in July 2024.
But the 34-year-old only played 299 minutes in the league in the season just completed. He missed the first chunk due to a knee injury but returned to score at Watford and Sheffield Wednesday.
Matty Godden celebrates his first goal of the season at Watford on Easter Monday/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Godden suffered a fresh problem after being tackled just moments after being subbed on against Ipswich. Charlton had made all their substitutions and he remained out on the pitch until the final whistle despite struggling badly for any movement.
That ruled Godden, who top-scored for the Addicks when they won promotion from League One via the play-offs, out of the last two matches. He did travel with the squad for the final day fixture at Swansea City.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones is a huge admirer of Godden. It could be that due to his lack of availability, a sensible approach would be to negotiate a contract that rewarded time on the pitch.
Godden told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition earlier this season that he wanted to play until he was 40.
He has 34 goals in 128 Championship matches.
Dykes arrived on a short-term deal after his Birmingham City contract was essentially ripped up.
The centre-forward had 18 months to run with Blues in January but an agreement was reached between the two parties.
He took the number 99 shirt for the south-east Londoners and produced an assist with his first touch, a header, for Sonny Carey’s winner against Sheffield United.
Dykes moved to Charlton for the remainder of the season with the lure of regular football to help lock down his spot in Scotland’s squad for the World Cup finals in the USA. They commence their tournament against Haiti on June 14 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Dykes scored three goals, producing a fine volleyed finish at Leicester City, and had six goal involvements in total. He played 20 matches for the Addicks.
Luke Berry controls the ball against Coventry City/Picture: Paul Edwards
Attacking midfielder Berry barely featured for the Addicks after their promotion and his farewell proved to be a 15-minute outing on the final day in South Wales.
The 33-year-old scored seven goals and got five assists in his first season with Charlton.
Central midfielder Taylor played just 21 times for Charlton after a permanent transfer from Burton Albion in July 2023.
The 24-year-old has had two loans with Northampton Town, making 42 appearances in the most recent season. The Cobblers were relegated to League Two.
Luke Chambers, Harry Clarke, Conor Coady and Jayden Fevrier have returned to their parent clubs after the completion of their loans.
Players under contract for next season
Gassan Ahadme, Karoy Anderson, Rob Apter, Nathan Asiimwe, Amari’i Bell, Tiernan Brooks, Reece Burke, Sonny Carey, Conor Coventry, Kaheim Dixon, Greg Docherty, Josh Edwards, Ibrahim Fullah, Macaulay Gillesphey, Keenan Gough, Lloyd Jones, Thomas Kaminski, Daniel Kanu, Charlie Kelman, Harvey Knibbs, Miles Leaburn, Will Mannion, Micah Mbick, Alex Mitchell, Zach Mitchell, Tanto Olaofe, Kayne Ramsay, Joe Rankin-Costello and Collins Sichenje.
Main picture: Kyle Andrews
In years gone by it was stark to see how few players we had contracted so good to see the position of strength where we can command fees for players not at Champ level and who will be wanted at the lower levels. Nice to see the club run well after years of neglect.
I'm not sure i would sign Dykes. Ideally Leaburn can improve and fulfil that role more cheaply and effectively.