League Two side Notts County have secured the signing of Charlton Athletic’s talented defender Lucas Ness on a permanent deal with the addition of a sell on clause, according to the club’s official website.
The 22-year-old centre-back was well thought of at the Addicks, having joined the club in 2020 from Met Police. He enjoyed loan spells at Hampton and Richmond as well as Torquay and went on to make 44 appearances for the League One club, including 14 in the third-tier last season.
Nathan Jones has been busy in the transfer market and the addition of Alex Mitchell from Millwall, who impressed at fellow League One side Lincoln City last season appears to have been the final nail in the coffin for the youngster’s progression to the first team set up.
The Addicks had failed to give the player a squad number, with his exit expected for some time, however surgery on a minor ankle injury reportedly delayed his exit, according to the South London Press.
The player’s contract was due to expire at the end of the 23/24 season, but the club opted to activate the extension clause within his contract to ensure they received a fee for his departure, rather than having to rely on tribunals.
A big season for Jones and Charlton Athletic
Nathan Jones has transformed the prospects of the League One side from middle of the table competitors to challengers for promotion. Many League One pundits including our own League One Lowdown podcast had predicted the club to finally gain automatic promotion back to the Championship after languishing in the third tier for an extended period of time.
So far they have won both of their League One fixtures, coming out as victors over Leyton Orient and Wigan Athletic despite coming unstuck in the EFL Cup to fellow promotion hopefuls Birmingham City. The club lost striker Alfie May, reportedly a decision made by manager Nathan Jones in what could be a masterstroke as his side continue to recruit well.