Charlton Athletic

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Charlton Athletic have signed Portugal Under 21 international Jose Semedo on a free transfer.

Semedo has signed a four-year contract at the Valley after opting to leave Sporting Lisbon without making a first-team appearance for the club.

He spent last season on loan at Cagliari, playing three times in Serie A for the Sardinian side.

The centre-half also represented Portugal at the recent European Under 21 Championship in Holland and has now accepted a move to England.

The 22-year-old's decision will be a boost to Alan Pardew's hopes of leading The Addicks back into the Premier League at the first attempt.

Semedo follows another youngster in making a surprise move to Charlton after France Under 21 international Yassin Moutaouakil joined from Chateauroux last week.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Matt Holland has signed a new one-year contract at Charlton Athletic.

The experienced midfielder had been considering his future, with his previous deal due to expire this summer.

But Holland has pledged to help Charlton in the Championship next season and admits he was in an unusual situation.

"I'm glad to get it sorted and I'm really pleased to be staying," Holland told the club's official website.

"It's been a funny summer really with the contract situation, and now I can't wait to get started.

"It's quite new to me really, being out of contract.

"Throughout my career I've always finished the season still having a contract for the next year, so this has been something completely different.

"Obviously the situation the club was in last season was difficult and I had to try to put that to one side and try to do my best to keep the club in the Premiership."

Holland joined the Addicks from Ipswich Town four years ago and he has made over 140 appearances during his time at the Valley.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Powell takes Addicks role

Chris Powell has rejoined Charlton as a coach following his release from Watford.

The 37-year-old defender, who left Vicarage Road at the end of last season, has not been given a specific role by Alan Pardew.

But Pardew is thrilled to have secured Powell's services and hopes the Charlton players will benefit from his experience.

"I'm delighted Chris has returned to Charlton for all manner of reasons," Pardew told the Kent Messenger.

"I'm not giving him a title but he will be a welcome addition to the coaching staff.

"He has a wealth of experience which we, as a club, can tap into."

Pardew also revealed Powell could feature as a player if cover was needed at left-back.

He explained: "If for whatever reason, Ben Thatcher was unable to play, then I would not hesitate in bringing Chris into the side."

Powell played for Charlton from 1998 to 2004 and came back to The Valley for the 2005/6 season.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Addicks agree Sinclair fee

Charlton have settled on a compensation fee of £125,000 for Barnet midfielder Dean Sinclair.

Sinclair has been training with with The Addicks during their pre-season tour of Spain and impressed Charlton boss Alan Pardew while on trial.

The 22-year-old started his career at Norwich, where he came through the youth system before joining Barnet in August 2004.

"Chairman Tony Kleanthous has negotiated compensation of £125,000 with the Championship club," read a statement on Barnet's official website.

In his three years at Underhill, Sinclair made 133 appearances and scored 21 goals and The Bees are entitled to a settlement as he is under the age of 24.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Charlton want Zheng back

Charlton Athletic are interested in bringing back China international Zheng Zhi.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a successful loan stint with The Addicks towards the end of last season, but returned to Shandong Luneng after the club failed to maintain their Premier League status.

Newcastle United and Birmingham City are believed to be keen on the versatile midfielder, but Charlton have entered the mix and the offer of regular first-team football could be appealing.

According to Zheng's agent Gao Li, the player has welcomed Charlton's interest and is not ruling out a return to his former club.

"Charlton are keen admirers of Zheng's abilities," Li told the Chinese media.

"The club are interested in having him back for another season.

"It is possible for Zheng to return, but the move will require approval from me, the player and the Chinese Football Association."

Source: Skysports

[wfc_till_i_die]

ive got money on charlton to go down. Would be up there with leeds going down ha ha.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Well, I doubt all London teams unless Watford will go down...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Bordeaux keen on Diawara

Jean-Louis Triaud has confirmed that Bordeaux have opened negotiations with Charlton over Souleymane Diawara.

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc is looking to strengthen his defence before the start of the new season and is mulling over a number of options.

Chairman Triaud has now admitted that top of the list is Diawara, who had a difficult first season at The Valley.

Diawara joined The Addicks from Sochaux last summer and Bordeaux now appear ready to bring him back to France.

"It is true, he is our priority trail," Triaud told L'Equipe.

"We are in talks with Charlton about a definitive transfer. Diawara has a big advantage as he knows Ligue 1 perfectly well.

"We are improving and we hope to settle that case quite quickly, but he would not be able to join us before Le Championnat starts (this weekend).

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Diawara nears Bordeaux move

Souleymane Diawara is hoping to complete a move to Bordeaux this weekend.

The French club confirmed earlier this week they had opened negotiations with the Charlton defender.

Diawara has now agreed a deal, believed to be for four years, and is looking to make his Bordeaux debut as soon as possible.

The Senegalese player has also revealed that he will not play in the African Cup of Nations early next year.

"I really hope it will be settled as soon as possible. I would like to sign on Friday or Saturday," Diawara told L'Equipe.

"I won't play the first Ligue 1 day, but I would like to play on the second weekend.

"I talked about Bordeaux's interest with my coach Alan Pardew. At first, he was not very keen to let me leave, but then, he understood my desire.

"I quickly found an agreement with Bordeaux.The project of coach Laurent Blanc and chairman Jean-Louis Triaud attracted me.

"I won't play ACN."

Charlton are expected to receive 5million euros (£3.4million) for Diawara.

Source: Skysports

Not a big loss for Charlton.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Fortune may return to Stoke

Charlton defender Jonathan Fortune could be set to return to Stoke after the two clubs agreed a fee for the player's transfer.

The 26-year-old, who has risen through the ranks of Charlton's academy and is their longest serving player, had a successful loan stint at the Britannia Stadium last season after failing to become a first team regular with the Addicks.

"We have accepted a bid from Stoke for Jon's sake rather than my own," Charlton boss Alan Pardew said.

"I think there is the opportunity for him to play definitely in the first team there, but maybe he is going to stay and continue his career here and hope to get in our first team.

"That's the question for Jon and I thought it would be fair to give him that question and see what he wants to do."

Meanwhile, Stephen Wright is expected to join the Potters from Sunderland on Friday.

The 27-year-old right back, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, is reportedly wanted on a season-long loan by Stoke boss Tony Pulis and is close to finalising a deal.

Source: Skysports

Charlton is starting to be short of centre halfs as Diawara also is on his way out.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Fortune to stay at Charlton

Jon Fortune has rejected a move to Stoke City to stay at Charlton Athletic, while Jerome Thomas and Andy Reid will also remain at The Valley.

The Addicks had accepted a bid for Fortune from Stoke, who had the defender on loan at The Britannia Stadium last season.

But, speaking after Charlton's friendly against Braga, Pardew confirmed the player has pledged to stay in the capital.

Pardew told the club's official website: "Jon Fortune has told me today that he wants to stay."

Good news

The Charlton boss also confirmed that Thomas and Reid would help the club's bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Thomas has been linked with the likes of Derby and Everton, but the winger has affirmed his commitment to The Addicks.

"There's good news that Jerome has committed himself for the year," added Pardew. "Andy Reid has too.

"Jerome knows that he needs a good year. He understands me as a manager and I understand him as a player, which is important.

"We had a chat this week and I'm very pleased he wants to stay."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Addicks dealt Holland blow

Charlton's preparations for the new season have been dealt a late blow, after Matt Holland suffered a knee injury.

Addicks boss Alan Pardew told the club's official website that he expected to be without the midfielder for up to six weeks, as the 33-year-old requires cartilage surgery.

A number of injuries have forced Pardew to seek reinforcements, as he prepares for his side's season opener against Scunthorpe.

In an attempt to solve his injury worries, the former West Ham boss is looking to make some late additions to his squad, in particular in the striking department.

"I want one more striker for sure," he revealed.

"Luke Varney's ankle injury has been a blow to us because he was a big-money signing, but hopefully that'll turn out to be a silver lining when he's back in two to three weeks' time.

Seeking reinforcements

"We've also made a couple of enquiries regarding a central midfield player, but I haven't got anything concrete at the moment.

"I would like to get a striker in and I'd be more patient with the midfield player."

Source: Skysports

[Olzy]

Izale McLeod is undergoing a medical at Charlton as he looks set to seal a move to The Valley, skysports.com can confirm.

The Milton Keynes Dons striker has been given permission to talk to The Addicks after the two clubs agreed a fee.

The former Derby man has been anxious to move back to at least Championship level after impressing hugely with the MK Dons in recent seasons.

Now McLeod is in the capital as he talks terms with Charlton and looks set to seal a move to The Valley.

"Terms have been agreed and we are going to have medical," his representative Tony Finnigan confirmed.

McLeod is set to be Alan Pardew's final addition to a new look strike-force which will consist three further new signings in the shape of Svetoslav Todorov, Chris Iwelumo and Luke Varney.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Souleymane Diawara is expected to join Bordeaux today after he passes a medical at the Stade Chaban Delmas.