New signing 'quadrupled' wages claim, one of Liverpool's summer signings had been of interest to Addicks and Jordan Cousins makes non-league move
The latest review of the week - a round-up of Charlton Athletic news
Charlton Athletic continued their pre-season programme with a victory at their Slovenian training base, spent big to land a top talent from League One and announced the departure of a popular member of staff.
It’s all in the latest review of the week.
FULLAH OPTIMISM
Ibrahim Fullah was on target for the Addicks as they rounded off their training camp in Slovenia with a 2-0 win over Croatian side HNK Gorica on Saturday.
There is a pod reflecting on the match here.
Karoy Anderson opened the scoring for the Championship club in the 82nd minute but the Gorica goalkeeper Davor Matijas will not want to watch it back, the Jamaican international’s routine corner kick ending up with the ball crossing the line.
Fellow academy product Fullah quickly added a second and also went close with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.
There was first action of pre-season for new signings Amari’i Bell, Joe Rankin-Costello, Thomas Kaminski and Rob Apter, the latter playing at right wing-back.
Isaac Olaofe headed wide at the back post from Josh Edwards’ cross at the end of the first period.
Gorica put together some good passages of play and goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer made some key saves, not least from a close-range header by striker Ivan Folic in the 64th minute.
“They are a top league side for their country, so we wanted that test,” Charlton manager Nathan Jones told the club’s YouTube channel. “It just topped off a really good week.
Nathan Jones poses with a young Addicks fan before the pre-season friendly at Dartford earlier this month
Picture: Kyle Andrews
“There is plenty more to come (from the new additions). This stage of pre-season is all about getting that physical exercise and working on certain things we want implemented, in terms of out of possession or in possession.
“We will get sharper, stronger and a bit more fluent in our play. What we are really pleased with is that we’ve had a really good working week. We have brought the squad together and had a wonderful week bonding - as well as putting some really good physical and tactical work in.
“I love our academy and our academy players, some of them have got big futures if they continue to want to learn and get better. The last game Alan Mwamba was wonderful and big Micah (Mbick) is starting to gather some momentum. We have got really high hopes for Ibby, he is a wonderful, wonderful footballer.”
Matty Godden and Luke Berry are yet to feature in pre-season. Godden has a slight calf niggle which has prevented him playing.
Reece Burke was also absent for the latest runout.
“We have used the whole squad,” said Jones, when asked about absences. “Some get aches, pains and stiffness, so you don’t want to risk them at this stage.
“One or two are yet to feature for us but they are getting closer, which is the main thing.”
Fullah made his first-team debut as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Burton Albion on the final day of the standard League One season in May.
The 18-year-old hit the post against the Brewers.
Asked about being away with Charlton’s first-team in Slovenia, Fullah told the club’s X account: “It has been very good. I’m grateful to the gaffer, he has put a lot of belief in me. I’m enjoying it and improving every day.”
A NEW CH-APTER FOR ROB AT THE VALLEY
Blackpool manager Steve Bruce has claimed that Rob Apter “quadrupled” his wages after his transfer to Charlton Athletic.
The 22-year-old winger made the move to SE7 on Thursday. No fee was disclosed but the deal is believed to be worth in excess of £2million.
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition’s reaction to the Apter swoop is here.
“None of us wanted to sell Rob, but once it gets to a certain level of money, not just for the club, but for Rob himself personally, with the lure of the Championship - the kid knocked my door down every other day,” Bruce told the Blackpool Gazette.
“It’s understandable. He became a little bit emotional in the end. We wish him the best of luck, he’s come through the academy here. He’s a bit of a dying breed.
“None of us wanted to sell him, especially the owner, but you have to accept that once a player is offered money of life-changing ability then it has a big pull.
“It’s a short career, and when you’re quadrupling your money, you’re going to have your head turned. Also, the Championship is where he wanted to be.”
Apter released a statement posted by the Tangerines on their social media following his exit.
“Blackpool FC will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'd like to thank all of the coaches I've worked with over the years, especially Danny Ventre and John Murphy, who both pushed me all the way, working tirelessly to help me progress and the gaffer and all of his staff for the faith every single one of them put in me last season,” he said.
“It was immense and gave me the platform I needed to express myself. Thank you also to my team-mates who treated me like I was one of them from the moment I stepped up to the first-team.
“Of course, thank you to my family - my mum, dad and my two brothers Matt and Will. They all love coming to Bloomfield Road and I know how much it meant to them to see the team win and hear my name sung in the stands. Thank you all for everything.
“Finally, to the supporters. We've been on a great journey together and I can't thank you enough for the love and support you have shown me over the years. I will never forget hearing my name getting sung for the first time. For a young lad dreaming to play professional football, I'd say that's one of the best feelings I've ever experienced.
“I'm sure this season will be a special one for the club and I hope you get back to where you belong in the Championship. I'll be watching on and supporting from afar and hopefully I'll be back at Bloomfield Road one day. I leave this club knowing I've left as a better football player but most importantly this club has helped me become a better person.”
Apter is the seventh signing made by Charlton since promotion to the Championship.
Addicks boss Jones said: "Rob's exactly the type of player that we want to sign for Charlton Athletic - he's young, athletic, has a high ceiling and is a really technical player who had a fantastic season last year and did really well against us. He's an exciting player that can score and assist, and a player that will fit into our structure really, really well."
LEABURN TO MAKE VALLEY EXIT
There was an outpouring of appreciation from Charlton Athletic fans towards Tracey Leaburn after it was confirmed that she is leaving her position as head of men’s first-team player care.
Leaburn, whose son Miles recently signed a new contract with the SE7 outfit, had been in the post for 10 years.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Charlton and have had the pleasure of working with and meeting so many fantastic people,” she said. “Charlton truly has a wonderful fanbase who have supported so much of what we’ve tried to achieve. Like them, I’m looking forward to cheering on the boys in the Championship."
Chairman Gavin Carter added: “We wish Tracey all the very best for the future. She has done an outstanding job during her time at Charlton, not only in her day-to-day responsibilities but also through the many ways she has gone above and beyond her role.
"In particular, she has been the driving force behind our pioneering matchday PSA testing initiative, which has saved many lives over the past eight years. This is something we are immensely proud of and will continue to support as a football club.”
ADDICKS HAD INTEREST IN LIVERPOOL NEW BOY
Okay, this isn’t strictly a review of the week but who doesn’t like a little bit of transfer gossip?
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition has been told that one of the goalkeepers that the Addicks were interested in this summer was Freddie Woodman.
The 28-year-old, son of Bromley manager Andy, had been a free agent after leaving Preston North End.
Liverpool announced at the end of June that they had agreed terms to add Woodman to their squad.
Charlton have subsequently strengthened that department by securing the services of Thomas Kaminski from Luton Town.
ROSS STAYING WITH CHARLTON WOMEN
Midfielder Mia Ross has signed a new contract with Charlton Athletic Women.
The 21-year-old, sidelined since September after sustaining an ACL injury, has agreed a 12-month deal with an option to extend until 2027.
Ross, who has featured 71 times for the Addicks, said: "I am buzzing to be back. It is something I have waited a really long time for but something I know I am definitely ready for. It's been really nice to back involved with the girls."
Charlton have also announced their first signing of the close season - Lucia Lobato from Olympique de Marseille.
The 24-year-old defender said: "I would say the WSL2 will be the strongest league I’ve played in, so I’m excited for that step up. Marseille was a techy and powerful environment, so that was a great experience.
"I want to stay consistent week in and week out, get game time, and hopefully help the club achieve its collective goals."
Mia Ross has penned a new contract with Charlton Athletic Women
Picture: Keith Gillard
CONOR WASHINGTON IS A GLADIATOR!!!!
No, not that type of Gladiator (although it may well have got you singing the theme tune to the TV show).
The former Charlton Athletic striker has signed for Matlock Town, and their nickname is the Gladiators.
The Derbyshire-based club were not at their combative best as they got relegated from the Northern Premier League last season. They were hit with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player but finished nine points adrift of safety.
Conor Washington scores for Charlton Athletic against Rotherham United
Picture: Keith Gillard
There is a very fine interview by Kyle Andrews with Conor Washington here.
The 33-year-old had a couple of League One campaigns with the Addicks, joining in the summer of 2020 after relegation from the Championship and scored 22 times, 11 in each season.
Charlton confirmed the release of Washington in May 2022. The Northern Ireland-capped attacker made a free transfer switch to Rotherham United.
Another ex-Addick on the move is Jordan Cousins, who has signed for non-league Eastleigh Town.
The 31-year-old from Greenwich featured just shy of 150 times for Charlton, coming through their academy, before being sold to QPR in July 2016.
Cousins was released by Cambridge United at the end of last season.
“It’s been a long period of negotiating, but I’m glad that it’s all done and I can concentrate on the football,” he told Eastleigh’s website.
“I kind of get a feeling for places and I knew when driving into the car park and seeing the facilities, the changing room, and the vibe around this place, I knew it was the place for me!”
Jordan Cousins played against Charlton last season
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Matt Penney, who spent the second half of the 2023-24 League One season on loan from Ipswich Town, has agreed a deal with Aldershot Town.
The 27-year-old defender featured just five times, three of those starts, before heading back to the Tractor Boys.
Most recently he had been on the books of Altrincham.
Shots assistant manager assistant Hugo Langton said: “Matt has trained with us since we returned to pre season training and he’s impressed us staff throughout.
“He’s the type of player who suits our playing style and also he’s a good bloke who has fitted straight in with our existing players. He’s had plenty of experience of playing at higher levels and we are looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the team this season.”
Interview with Tracey for the pod?
Morning Rich, any truth in the recent rumours of Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Kelman?