Newly promoted Championship side Charlton Athletic have pulled off a transfer coup, securing the League One top scorer for the new season.
Nathan Jones’ side have been keen to strengthen this summer as they prepare for life in the second tier after beating Leyton Orient in the League One Play-off Final.
The Addicks have already secured the addition of Rob Apter from Blackpool, as well as Tanto Olaofe from Stockport County, Amari’i Bell from Luton Town and Sonny Carey amongst others.
But now they have been able to add one of the shining lights from League One last season on a permanent deal.
Leyton Orient Top Scorer Charlie Kelman Joins Charlton Athletic from QPR
23-year-old Charlie Kelman is the latest through the door at the Valley, in a deal that could rise to as much as £5m if performance add-ons are met.
The striker has spent two seasons on loan with Leyton Orient, first in 22/23, then again in 24/25. He went on to score 34 goals in 108 appearances for the O’s.
However, it was last season that was the most impressive, with 21 league goals (plus two in the play-offs) in 46 appearances. This placed him ahead of Birmingham City’s big money signing Jay Stansfield.
Speaking to the Charlton Athletic’s official media he said:
“I’m excited to be here. It’s a good squad, defensively solid and going forward very good as well. I feel like I’m ready for the Championship. I’m going to give it my best shot. I want to get my head down, score some goals and enjoy it.”
With Nathan Jones adding:
“I’m really delighted we’ve been able to sign Charlie. He’s a player we earmarked a long time ago as someone we really wanted to sign. With our promotion, it was something we went after really hard. I want to thank the Board and the owners for the support we’ve had in getting this over the line. He’s a goalscorer – which he proved last year. He’s scored 27 goals, played lots of games and he’s a great age. He’s everything we want at Charlton and adds to an already really strong strikeforce that we have.”
Charlie Kelman Statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Rating |
| League One | 40(9) | 23 | 6.85 |
| League Cup | 0(3) | 1 | 6.32 |
| EFL Trophy | 1(1) | 1 | – |
| FA Cup | 3(1) | 1 | – |
| Total | 58 | 26 | 6.82 |
Statistics taken from whoscored.com