Jones 'glad' pre-season is over, Knibbs deal completed, Murphy CEO no-go and Lookman wants Atalanta exit
The latest review of the week - a round-up of Charlton Athletic news
It’s another review of the week.
This round-up includes the latest, and final, friendly action, the signing of Harvey Knibbs, the non-arrival of Dane Murphy as Charlton Athletic chief executive and Ademola Lookman submitting a transfer request to try and force a Serie A transfer.
PRE-SEASON MATE? COMPLETED IT
That’s right, Charlton Athletic now have a free week to prepare for Saturday’s home Championship opener against Watford.
The Addicks signed off from pre-season duty with a 3-0 victory over Southend United at the weekend.
Sonny Carey put them ahead with a deflected effort in the first half. Gus Scott-Morriss squandered a glorious opportunity to level the contest but his penalty - conceded after Amari’i Bell was ruled to have tripped Slavi Spasov - was saved by Thomas Kaminski (below).
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Boss Nathan Jones seemed pretty frustrated in the opening 45 minutes and there was far more purpose and cutting edge at the start of the second half with Gassan Ahadme, who replaced Charlie Kelman at the midway point, quickly claiming a brace.
The striker, who had played no part in their pre-season matches, also had a chance of notching a hat-trick but fired straight at goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi from Tyreece Campbell’s neat set-up.
Unfortunately Jones only had a five-minute window to do media after the match - needing to make a sharp exit - and it meant a number of topics could not be covered. That included updates on a whole host of absences - Matty Godden, Joe Rankin-Costello, Miles Leaburn, Reece Burke and Luke Berry. Latest signing Harvey Knibbs was in attendance but not in the matchday squad.
“I’m glad it is over, in terms of pre-season games, because what we wanted to do is get here with minimal injuries and get here in a physical state…we have done that,” said the Addicks boss. “We have a few little niggles - in terms of Godden, Berry and Burke - but apart from that we are unscathed, in terms of stuff.
“Today was a tough test but we came here in the FA Cup and won 4-3 after extra-time, so this was different. We have got the squad up to pace.”
Post-match pod from Roots Hall - including an interview with Charlton TV co-commentator Steve Brown.
BY ROYALS APPROVAL - KNIBBS IS SIGNING NUMBER NINE
Harvey Knibbs’ move to Charlton Athletic was confirmed on Friday evening. Reaction to the transfer can be found here.
“I’ll always look back on my time at Reading with pride and gratitude for everyone I was fortunate enought to share the journey with,” posted the Addicks new boy on his X account. “Although this may feel like a goodbye, it’s really just the end of the chapter I’ll always carry with me.”
Reading boss Noel Hunt said: “Harvey has been a joy to work with — a player who gives you everything, every day. His versatility across the front positions has been a real asset to us, whether he’s playing out wide or in midfield. He’s scored important goals, created chances, and always put the team first. More than that, he’s a great character around the dressing room and a fantastic professional.
“We didn’t want to see him leave, but after speaking to Harvey on a number of occasions, he made his ambitions clear. He’s earned this move, and we wish him nothing but success at Charlton.”
Harvey Knibbs’ post on social media
MURPHY’S LAW
Or not, in this case. Dane Murphy will not be the new chief executive at Charlton Athletic.
In truth, this outcome is not a huge surprise when you consider it went very, very quiet after the June 10 announcement that Murphy was coming into the role - subject to completion of the EFL Owners and Directors’ Test.
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition had been told that normally the procedure for this kind of appointment should not take too long to pass the necessary hurdles.
So once the weeks began to pass, there was a feeling something was not quite right.
This website reached out to the EFL to see if there was any guidance on the situation fairly early in July. But the governing body’s responded their ‘general policy is not to comment on ongoing change of control or general control matters’. We kind of knew that was going to be the response - given the EFL stayed silent for so long when there was the sham of East Street Investments’ ‘takeover’ of the Addicks, even though they were never approved. It’s a shame there isn’t total transparency to the processes involved.
Charlton’s statement on July 30 suggested it was Murphy’s call to withdraw from the position.
“This decision was made in light of personal and professional considerations on Dane’s part, and we fully respect and support his choice,” said Addicks chairman Gavin Carter. “While Dane had not formally commenced the position, we are grateful for the time and effort he dedicated during the exploratory and planning phases. We thank him for his integrity throughout this process and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Murphy, who has held CEO roles at Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, was one of five investors who had taken control of troubled Vitesse Arnhem in January.
Prior to that announcement Vitesse were set to already face a 12-point deduction - the third campaign in a row they have been hit with that kind of punishment.
Charlton’s transfer window negotiations, an area Murphy would have been expected to have had a major hand in, have been conducted by managing director Jim Rodwell.
Carter said: “The club’s board and ownership will now evaluate the next steps. In the meantime, the club will continue to be led by the current leadership team, who have done an excellent job - overseeing a strong finish to last season and managing a busy and productive summer.”
ASSIMWE MAKES DONS LOAN MOVE
Nathan Asiimwe joined AFC Wimbledon on loan on Wednesday, with the Addicks announcing at the same time that their academy product had signed a new long-term contract.
The 20-year-old has extended his Valley terms until at least 2027 with a club option of a further 12 months.
Asiimwe has featured for Charlton in pre-season and played in the right wing-back role. He spent last season with Walsall and featured at Wembley as they lost the League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Former Addicks skipper Johnnie Jackson, now boss of the Dons, talked to South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition about the deal. He said: “I’ve known him for a long time. When I was at Charlton he was just coming through the youth team. He came back on the radar when he got into the first team.
“Last year, going to Walsall, I came up against him and that’s when I noticed how much his game had improved and how he had become a man. When I knew him he was just out of the youth team, he was just a kid. He is a great size now and physically filled out.
“I watched him at Walsall and he did really, really well for them. He ended up keeping out one of their best players, in my opinion, in the right wing-back position for long periods.
“We played them in the final and he was up against Josh Neufville, who was probably my best player throughout the season. They had a really good tussle - almost cancelled each other out. But I’d seen what Josh has done to a few wing-backs and full-backs that season - Nath handled him pretty well defensively, which was encouraging as well.
“It was a natural one, when we lost Josh. Trying to replace him has been difficult but Asiimwe has got a lot of the same attributes physically and he has got some quality - he can use both feet and go both ways. He can play either side, he gives me a bit of versatility as well.”
MILLWALL SPEND SOME DOUGH
Alfie Doughty will be coming up against his former club Charlton Athletic next season - but wearing Millwall colours.
The 25-year-old, who is a Lions fans and has previously been pictured on a gym treadmill wearing one of their shirts, has joined for an undisclosed fee from Luton Town.
Doughty completed his early football education with the Addicks and made 41 first-team appearances.
Charlton wanted the pacey left-sider to commit to longer terms but he allowed his contract to run down. It forced the south London club to agree a fee with Stoke City in January 2021 rather than rely on negotiating compensation the following summer.
Picture: Paul Edwards
Doughty’s career really took off after he made the switch to Luton Town. He won promotion to the Premier League and featured in 37 of their 38 top-flight matches.
There had been speculation his performances would ensure he got a chance to stay at that level following the Hatters’ relegation. Instead he remained on their books and was part of the side which suffered another drop - this time to League One.
“I am really pleased we could get this deal done,” said Millwall’s director of football Steve Gallen, who held a similar title with Charlton Athletic during the ownership spells of Roland Duchatelet and Thomas Sandgaard.
“Alfie is a player I’ve known for a long time, from when we were both at Charlton. Even as recently as a year ago, there was Premier League interest in him.
“He is an exciting footballer, and a Millwall fan, which has helped speed up the process, as he really wanted to join the club, which is an important factor when speaking to these players.”
BURSTOW IN BOLTON LOAN AS KIRK DROPS DOWN AGAIN
Mason Burstow has fixed up his football for this season, with the Hull City striker signing a season-long loan at Bolton Wanderers.
The 21-year-old, from Greenwich, came through the Charlton academy with then owner Thomas Sandgaard selling him to Chelsea in February 2022, although a condition of the sale was that he was loaned immediately back for the remainder of the campaign.
Burstow struggled to make any kind of dent in the Blues’ first-team fold, featuring just twice at senior level. Last August he made a permanent transfer to Hull City for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.
He scored twice in 31 appearances for the Tigers in the Championship last season.
Picture: Keith Gillard
Charlie Kirk’s career continues to see him drop down the divisions - this time to the National League.
The winger had his Charlton contract cancelled by mutual consent in December 2023. He made just 33 league appearances over three seasons with the SE7 club after a £415,000 transfer from Crewe.
A return to Crewe after his deal was ripped up failed to kickstart his career and he featured just seven times for Barrow in League Two last season.
Kirk has signed for National League Altrincham.
“He is a player I never thought would be within our reach at 27 years old,” said manager Phil Parkinson. “The biggest thing for me was his desire to come to Altrincham.
“He is a player who should be playing at a much higher level, but for one reason or another, we find ourselves in the fortunate position where he is needing our support, and he will certainly help us, once we get him back on track.”
Morgan Fox has signed a two-year contract with Wigan after his departure from QPR.
The 31-year-old left-back came through Charlton’s academy system.
Wigan boss Ryan Lowe said: “I have been a long-term admirer of Morgan, who I know will bring a lot of leadership and experience to the squad.”
LOOKMAN HANDS IN TRANSFER REQUEST
Ademola Lookman is eyeing the exit door at Atalanta - after formally submitting a request to leave the Serie A outfit.
Inter Milan are interested in the 27-year-old, who initially shot to prominence after shining in Charlton Athletic’s first-team as a teenager.
Lookman starred for Atalanta when they won the 2023-24 Europa League trophy, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
“Over the past three years at Atalanta, I’ve given absolutely everything. Not just as a footballer, but as a person,” said Lookman in a statement.
“I’ve always worn the shirt with pride and tried to represent this club and the city of Bergamo with heart, passion and dedication.
Ademola Lookman playing for Charlton in the 2015-16 season
Picture: Keith Gillard
“This place has felt like home from the moment I arrived, and I've always tried to repay that love - even in moments where things haven't been easy behind the scenes. That’s what makes writing this so hard. I have loved every moment but feel that now, after three wonderful years in Bergamo, it is the right time to move on and experience a new adventure.
“There have been numerous clubs approach Atalanta in the past and I have previously always stayed loyal. However, myself and the ownership of the club have been in agreement that now is the right time and the club were clear with me that if a fair offer came in they would allow me to move.
“Despite now receiving an offer in alignment to what I believe had been discussed, sadly the club are blocking the opportunity for reasons I do not understand.
“As a result and after many months of broken promises and what I feel has been poor treatment towards me as both a human being and as a professional footballer, sadly I feel I have no choice but to speak out for what I believe is right and feel that enough is enough. I can confirm I have now handed in a formal transfer request.”
Great updates on ex players Rich
The updates on Charlton's ex-academy players are great.