Charlton Athletic are close to completing their next signing after having to face a lengthy delay for a work permit to be granted, according to reports.
The Addicks have had a reasonably busy transfer window to date, in what is Nathan Jones’ first summer window at the club. Despite losing the likes of Alfie May and George Dobson they have been able to secure quality additions. Matty Godden joined from Coventry City, Alex Mitchell joined from local rivals Millwall after impressing at Lincoln City last season and Gassan Ahadme moved from Premier League Ipswich Town amongst others.
However, one spot the club have reportedly been keen to fill is that of the right wing. Jones’ side identified Kaheim Dixon currently at Arnett Gardens as a suitable candidate for that position. According to Richard Cawley of the South London Press, the Addicks are hoping to have the deal completed this week, with the delay due to the work permit application.
Young, Raw, Unproven is this a risk for Charlton Athletic?
It is becoming increasingly common in the EFL to target players from emerging markets, in recent years we have seen more players coming over from the League of Ireland as well as clubs more willing to take players from the second and third divisions of clubs in Europe. Even Birmingham City have utilised their money well by shopping in the continent rather than the often-overinflated prices domestically.
That being said, Kaheim Dixon does present a unique risk, as to date we haven’t seen a huge amount of movement between the Jamaican leagues and the EFL. However, at 6ft tall and just 19 years old the Addicks scouts clearly feel they have identified a talent that can translate to English football. According to the Jamaica Observer the player’s agent spoke to the media stating that there was interest from “Belgium, Denmark, and Portugal as well as the US-based MLS”. Which, if true demonstrates that this may be too good an opportunity to turn down.
What has been said?
The agent of the player Kevin Cowan has been vocal about the move, last month he discussed the “aggression” of Charlton in securing the move:
“The aggression of Charlton, who were very clear in how they perceive the player, and the project that they have in place for him, his development, how they see him, and how they want to work with him [was the deciding factor]. They were just very clear from the beginning of their pursuit — they never relented. We saw quickly that this was the club for him because they showed us this,”
On the Work Permit
“He has done all he has to do and was part of the national team. Charlton has also been doing their work. They wouldn’t pursue the player this aggressively if they were not confident that they can secure the work permit so I would say for us we wouldn’t want to speak so much on the work permit process other than that Charlton is going to lead the way with that. They’ve done their due diligence and their research,”