Isaac Olaofe joins Lincoln City - transfer has option-to-buy clause - and Keenan Gough makes loan move to Bristol Rovers
Imps reveal they are long-term admirers of Charlton Athletic striker
Isaac ‘Tanto’ Olaofe and Keenan Gough have made season-long loan moves to Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers.
Olaofe, 26, will be staying in the Championship after agreeing a switch to the Imps, who won the League One title last season. South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition understands that the deal includes an option to buy.
The frontman signed for the Addicks from Stockport County last summer on a three-year contract.
Olaofe’s only goal for the south Londoners came in the 1-0 victory at Sheffield United in September.
The former Millwall player has struggled to hold down regular game time in SE7, only six of his 18 Championship appearances have been starts, and he was loaned back to Stockport at the end of the January window, winger Jayden Fevrier heading in the opposite direction.
Isaac Olaofe/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Despite hooking back up with a manager, Dave Challinor, who had helped him put in the performances to catch Charlton’s eye, he scored once for the Hatters in 24 matches, 15 of those substitute outings.
Olaofe has played for the Addicks in pre-season but there was always an expectation he would head out on loan again.
Lincoln are the betting favourites to be relegated. They have had a managerial change with Michael Skubala poached by Bristol City since their promotion - Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw placed in joint charge.
Imps sporting director Jez George said: “Tanto is actually a player we first spoke with and presented to four years ago, when we tried to buy him from Sutton United.
“We have said that we wanted to add pace, power and physicality to our group this summer, and Tanto ticks all those boxes, as well as experiencing the Championship last season. He is aggressive, demonstrates Lincoln City traits in his behaviours, and we are certain that with how we play we can help him to become a real goal threat again.
“Tanto is a perfect fit for our game model, can play across all the front positions, including both wide areas, and he joins us with plenty to prove at this level, like the majority of our squad.
“We are really pleased to have him as we didn’t believe a loan would have been possible to another club in the Championship and subsequently this opportunity has only arisen in the past few days.
“We have also secured an option to buy, which we can exercise next summer based on certain conditions, so that makes it even more interesting for us.”
Olaofe will not be able to feature in the games against his parent club, with the first meeting set to take place at The Valley on November 24.
Nathan Jones told Charlton’s official website: “Given the competition for places up front, Tanto is unlikely to get the game time he wants and needs with us this season.
“The loan move to Lincoln, and the chance to play Championship football, represents an excellent opportunity for him. From our perspective, it also creates space within the squad that allows us to add greater positional balance to the group.”
Gough, 20, has been described as a midfielder by Bristol Rovers when they announced his arrival, even though his three Championship outings for Charlton came in defence.
“He’s a player I see mainly as a number six in the middle of the park, and I think that’s where he’ll end up playing for the most of his career, but he’s also very comfortable playing at the back as well,” said Rovers boss Steve Evans.
Keenan Gough defending in the friendly fixture at Colchester last month/Picture: Kyle Andrews
“We’ve signed a really good talent. He’s been involved in the Charlton first team and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
Gough added: “When I’m in the middle of the field, I’m someone who breaks up play, someone who intercepts play and simplifies it. I love a duel, I love a battle, so I never back down from them. And then with the ball, I’d say I’m technically good, and I read the game and communicate well too.”
Jones handed Gough his debut as a 75th-minute substitute in a 3-1 EFL Cup loss at Cambridge United in August.
But he also started the youngster in the 5-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea at The Valley. Gough played the full tie and faced the likes of Liam Delap and Estevao.
Jones told the club’s official website: “Keenan is an excellent talent with a bright future ahead of him.
“We believe regular first-team football is the next step in his development. This move to Bristol Rovers provides a great opportunity for him to continue progressing. It will give him the chance to play consistently in a competitive environment, and we’ll be closely monitoring his progress throughout the loan spell.”