'I know this club like the back of my hand' - Danny McNamara on transfer switch from Millwall to Charlton Athletic, playing golf with Matty Godden and recovering from 2025 ACL knee injury
Versatile defender was released by Addicks at age of 14 - now he is back as part of Nathan Jones' first-team squad
Danny McNamara has promised there will be no divided loyalties now that he is once again a Charlton Athletic player.
The Addicks confirmed this morning that the 27-year-old has joined on a contract until the summer of 2028.
The right-footed defender spent 12 years at Millwall before his release at the end of June. He was a season-ticket holder at The Den before signing for them at the age of 15.
But what isn’t so widely documented is that the Addicks were McNamara’s first professional club.
Danny McNamara/Picture: Keith Gillard
McNamara was attending Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s advanced centre when he was spotted as a seven-year-old and ended up joining their academy.
The Addicks let him go at the age of 14. He briefly played for Kent club Corinthians FC before Millwall came calling.
McNamara played 166 times at first-team level for the Lions.
So did his affiliation with them make him have to think twice about his switch from SE16 to SE7?
“Whatever way you cut it, Millwall-Charlton is a rivalry, right?,” Sidcup-born McNamara told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition. “But I started my youth career here, for seven years, so I know this club like the back of my hand.
“I got released by Charlton and then I went and played a bit of semi-pro football with my friends. I joined Millwall when I was a scholar.
“I look back on my previous time at Charlton with happy memories. For me to come back and pull on that shirt, I’m really looking forward to it.
“This move came around pretty quickly. My agent mentioned it to me and we had a meeting sorted in 24 hours. I went and met the manager, which went really well. He sold it to me.
“It’s been a bit of a journey but it’s nice to come back to some familiar faces. Steve Avory (formerly academy director) is still here (in a part-time advisory role) and a few of the younger age group managers from the academy, like Rhys Williams (head of coaching), and Joe Francis (head of education). I could sit here and name a few people.
“Whatever team I play for, whatever colour of shirt I put on, I will always give 100 per cent.”
Charlton are due to head to The Den on December 19.
“What a game to play in,” said McNamara. “Both sets of fans are passionate and love their club. It will be good.”
Danny McNamara’s heat map from 16 league appearances last season (above) and 35 league appearances in the 2023-24 season (below)/Source: Sofascore
McNamara plays golf with Matty Godden and reached out to the veteran striker, who signed a 12-month contract extension recently, to get the inside track on the Addicks.
