Review of the week: West Brom journalist gives his verdict on Charlton Athletic signing Karlan Grant, women make first additions of summer transfer window and Konsa scores in England-France thriller
Callum Harriott retires and Beadle makes Birmingham loan return
It’s the latest review of the week.
This one contains more reaction to Karlan Grant’s signing, Charlton Athletic’s 1-0 victory at Gillingham plus the women’s team making signings and contract renewals.
Reece Burke heads the winning goal against Gillingham/Picture: Kyle Andrews
‘He will graft and always gets shooting chances’
Karlan Grant’s return to Charlton Athletic was confirmed on Sunday morning.
The attacker, who had been offered fresh terms by West Bromwich Albion, opted to make a free transfer back to the Addicks, where his career started.
Karlan Grant celebrates scoring against Shrewsbury at The Valley in 2018/Picture: Keith Gillard
We decided to catch up with Lewis Cox, who covers the Baggies for the Express & Star newspaper, to get his verdict on Grant.
“He is a difficult one to sum up in terms of his time at Albion,” said Cox. “You could ask plenty of fans and you will get differences of opinion.
“Most would probably feel it is the right time to part ways. He signed a mammoth six-year deal when he came in for a massive £15million fee. Albion had just been promoted to the Premier League.
“The payment of that fee was uniquely spread over the six years. Albion got into some desperate financial bother a couple of years down the line and some fans might have questioned: ‘Could we really afford that inflated fee?' But the transfer fee and salary, none of that was his fault.
“His first season back in the Champ with them he top-scored with 18 goals. He was leading the line. Valerien Ismael was in charge initially and then Steve Bruce. It was the season before I started reporting on the club but, by all accounts, the team didn’t do too well and even though Grant got all those goals it wasn’t viewed as a resounding success.
“Albion were in the financial mire in the summer of 2023. Grant was a significant earner and allowed on loan to Cardiff, where he did pretty well and was popular with their fans.
“Ever since returning from that season-long, I felt he had improved. He scored 35 goals in 173 matches for Albion. With Carlos Corberan, and subsequent managers, he has been used on the left flank, so that will skew his figures.
“What I liked about his performances is that he never lacked for effort, energy or work-rate. I know that should be the bare minimum but he has physicality and is a hard runner, he will track back and cover his left-back.
Karlan Grant’s Instagram post confirming he was leaving West Brom
“He will graft and will always pop up in the box to get a shot away.
“Grant was offered terms at Albion but I imagine they would have been on reduced terms. It was no surprise he looked at what was out there and would back himself for a decent Championship move.
“He had a mixed time at West Brom, including some tough spells and a loan away. But he also came back from that and was a regular in the side, despite competing with very decent players like Mikey Johnston, Isaac Price, Tom Fellows and Jed Wallace.
“He always featured when available and was seen by head coaches as in and around it, either as a starter or coming off the bench. He picked up a couple of troubling injuries, none more so than last season, and he has been missed at those times he has been out.
“There was a hamstring issue in the New Year. He missed two or three months and his absence was felt. That tells you something, that they felt they really could have done with him.
“When I watched him I always felt he put it in and cared about the cause. He is a lively character. I hope he does well.”
Harvey Knibbs closes down a Gillingham player/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Addicks remain unbeaten in pre-season
Reece Burke scored a second-half winner for Charlton Athletic as they defeated Gillingham 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The centre-back headed in Sonny Carey’s 65th-minute corner.
Don’t miss our post-match pod - including hearing from Nathan Jones. The Welshman spoke to South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition about some of the transfer lines - as well as injuries - and that can be found here.
There were first pre-season minutes for club captain Greg Docherty and Matty Godden at Priestfield Stadium.
Charlie Kelman came off in the 27th minute with a dislocated shoulder.
Charlton continue their pre-season preparations with a trip to Johnnie Jackson’s AFC Wimbledon on Saturday (3pm).
Perth Glory announced Grace Johnson’s transfer to the Addicks on their official website (above)
Partido and Johnson join Charlton Women as eight agree new contracts
Charlton Athletic Women made their first signings of the summer transfer window.
Madrid-born Paula Partido, 21, has arrived from London City Lionesses on a season-long loan. She has been capped by Spain at U17 and U20 level.
Partido is yet to make a WSL appearance and spent the second half of last season on loan at DUX Logrono.
Defender Grace Johnson has penned a two-year contract with a club option for a further 12 months. The 21-year-old had been on the books of Perth Glory and was voted their 2026 Young Player of the Year.
Glory’s football director Stan Lazaridis said: “She has worked incredibly hard on her game and has very much earned what is an incredible opportunity to play in what is widely regarded as the best women’s competition in the world.”
Charlton announced a number of contract renewals last week - Lucia Lobato, Lucy Fitzgerald, Gillian Kenney, Gloria Siber, Anna Pedersen, Ellie Mason, Elish N’Dow and Carla Humphrey.
Gracie Pearse has signed a two-year deal at Sheffield United. The 23-year-old started seven WSL 2 matches for the Addicks last season.
Konsa helps England finish third at World Cup
Ezri Konsa became the first Charlton Athletic academy graduate to score at a World Cup.
The centre-back headed in England’s second goal in their 6-4 victory over France on Saturday night in what FIFA dubbed the ‘bronze final’.
England official website’s coverage of the France match (above)
The Three Lions’ hopes of reaching the final were dashed by a 2-1 loss to Argentina on Wednesday.
Konsa had been an ever-present starter prior to the meeting with the South Americans but was benched by Thomas Tuchel. The Aston Villa man came on for Anthony Gordon in the 71st minute as the England boss desperately tried to defend a 1-0 lead.
But unlike against Mexico, their under-siege defence was breached twice in the closing stages.
England’s thrilling victory over France made it their best finish at a World Cup in 60 years, since winning the trophy at the old Wembley in 1966.
Konsa has been capped 28 times by his country.
The Daily Mail reported on Sunday that Arsenal are weighing up a move for Konsa, who has two years left on his Villa contract.
Callum Harriott playing against Middlesbrough in March 2016/Picture: Keith Gillard
Harriott hangs up his boots
Callum Harriott has announced his retirement.
The 32-year-old came through Charlton’s academy and made his first-team debut in April 2011.
Harriott scored 12 goals in 95 matches for the Addicks and won Young Player of the Year in 2011.
He joined Reading for an undisclosed fee in 2016 and also had spells with Gillingham and Colchester United.
“After 16 incredible years, the time has come for me to officially retire from professional football,” Harriott posted on X.
”As a young boy from south London, all I ever dreamed of was becoming a professional footballer. To have lived that dream is something I’ll never take for granted.
“The highs, the lows, the lessons and the memories have shaped who I am today. To my family, thank you for every sacrifice you made to help me chase my dream.”
Former managers and players attend Peter Burrowes’ funeral
As expected there was an extremely strong Charlton Athletic presence at the funeral of Peter ‘Scoop’ Burrowes on Thursday at Kemnal Park crematorium.
Among those in attendance included two former managers of the Addicks - Lennie Lawrence and Steve Gritt - as well as Keith Peacock, Colin Powell, Steve Brown and Paul Elliott.
Ex-Charlton chairman Richard Murray and Peter Varney, the club’s former chief executive, also paid their respects.
Jarrod Bowen celebrates a Premier League goal last season/Picture: Keith Gillard
Charlton will face West Ham danger man Bowen
Charlton Athletic look set to face the challenge of subduing Jarrod Bowen in their second Championship match of the season, after West Ham’s captain announced he will be staying.
There had been rumours the 29-year-old could leave following the east Londoners’ relegation from the Premier League.
But the Hammers posted a story on Friday with Bowen making clear he wanted to help fire them to instant promotion.
“For me, when you're here for a longer amount of time, you gain more affection, you grow into the club more, you grow into your role more and more, and I think that’s what I’ve done,” said Bowen, who played in the Championship for Hull City before joining West Ham in 2020.
Bowen scored for Hull in a 2-2 draw at Charlton just weeks before he was transferred to West Ham.
The Addicks head to London Stadium on August 22.
Beadle a Blue
James Beadle has joined Birmingham City on loan again.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who turned down a pro deal with Charlton to sign for Brighton in 2022, also spent last season with the Blues.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies said: “Every season he has played at this level, he has continued to develop, and we’re looking forward to helping him take the next step again this year.”
Charlie Kirk/Picture: Keith Gillard
Kirk extends Alty stay
Charlie Kirk has signed a new contract with Altrincham.
The 28-year-old winger, who struggled to make any real impact after joining Charlton from Crewe in 2021, featured 40 times for the National League club last season.
Kirk was the final player on Alty’s retained list to make the decision to stay on.
Manager Neil Gibson said: “I’m really pleased to get Charlie back in for a second season as I believe he’ll be a real asset to the squad.
“Charlie has an excellent character and he’s someone who sets really high standards as a senior pro within the squad. I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
Midfielder Aaron Henry, 22, has signed for Wealdstone after his contract with Boreham Wood was terminated by mutual consent.
Was it not Aaron Henry the midfielder?