Leyton Orient Re-Sign Former Player

Leyton Orient has announced they have re-signed striker Charlie Kelman on a season-long loan deal from Queens Park Rangers.

The 22-year-old striker was previously on loan at The O’s during the 22/23 season in which they won the League Two title. The Striker is the club’s second addition of the Summer after Sonny Perkins joined on loan from Leeds United.

Speaking to the club’s media team Charlie had this to say.

 “As soon as I knew the chance was there to come back, I was so excited. When I spoke to Richie and PT, it was a no-brainer.

“Everyone knows how special this club is, and the day we won the league was amazing. That whole season was special.

“You look where the club was, in the National League, almost going bust and now looking forward to a second season in League One, it’s a testament to everyone at the club.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Richie, as a person, and how he is as a coach. He allows us to learn, but also allows people to be themselves.”

Who Is Charlie Kelman?

Charlie was born in Basildon and joined the Southend United academy, where he went on to play 35 games for the senior squad while they were in League One scoring on his debut in a 3-2 defeat to Plymouth.

In October 2020, Kelman moved to Championship side Queens Park Rangers where he would make 11 appearances for them during the 20/21 season.

For the 21/22 season, Kelman had a substitute appearance for QPR, before moving to Gillingham on loan making eight appearances without scoring. Upon returning to QPR in November, he returned to the Gills in January for the rest of the season where he scored two goals but was sent off in a 0-0 draw with Fleetwood Town missing the last two games of that season.

He then was sent out on loan to Leyton Orient for the 22/23 season, where he scored on his debut vs Mansfield Town in a 1-0 victory a season in which The O’s went on to win the League Two title, scoring seven goals in 47 appearances.

Returning to QPR under then-manager Gareth Ainsworth he started the first game of the season before being substituted at halftime. He made 11 appearances totalling 241 minutes before heading for Wigan Athletic for the second half of the League One Season, where he would score three goals in 619 minutes.

What will he bring to The O’s Frontline?

Firstly I believe Charlie is a good addition to The O’s frontline, he knows what is expected under Head Coach Richie Wellens and adds a different dimension to the attack and for a 22-year-old he does have a lot of senior appearances at not only League One Level but also Championship.

He is the type of striker, who tends not to drop deep looking to get involved in the build-up of attacks, but looks to beat the offside trap by playing off the shoulder using his pace and agility to beat his man and get a shot away. He also works extremely hard, which is expected in an Orient team that presses from the front, as well as making unselfish runs to create space for midfield or wide players cutting in.

When Charlie was last at the club, he scored seven goals from 7.55xG and an xG on Target 8.30. This means that his shots especially when on target should have ended in more goals than he achieved. He was also in the 82% percentile for winning the ball in the final 3rd compared to other strikers in the 22/23 League Two season, showing his ability in the press.