Charlton sign Oz teenager

Charlton have signed 18-year old Australian centre back Ryan Blumberg from the Nike football academy: Ryan Blumberg

Charlton liked his leadership qualities on and off the pitch and his physique as a big, strong defender.

For his part, Blumberg said: 'Charlton is obviously a big and well renowned club in the UK, playing most of their football over the last decade or so in the Premier League and Championship so their reputation around the world is of high regard. I knew that the club had a history of producing many good youth players with the likes of Joe Gomez and Ademola Lookman coming through the academy and into the first, which led to them securing deals with top Premier League clubs.'

Charlton are close to concluding a deal to sign Jay DaSilva on a season long loan: Close to deal

Ricky Holmes rumours

Rumours are circulating on the internet, including from Sheffield United sources, that the Blades have signed Ricky Holmes for £700,000.

I cannot find any authoritative confirmation of these rumours, but they may still be true. Supremo Karl Robinson has not concluded contract talks with Holmes.

Supremo Robinson has firmly stated that Holmes is not for sale and he has never been so excited about a new season. The club is looking at four goal keepers: Excitement

In a new interview Robinson has reiterated his desire to keep hold of Holmes, regardless of press reports from Sheffield: Robinson's reaction

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has tweeted that one problem may be that Holmes may realise that his new contract offer would still see him paid less than failed signings such as Naby Sarr.

New boy was recommended by Lookman's agent

New Charlton player Tariqe Fosu was recommended to Karl Robinson by Ademola Lookman's agent. Robinson says that Fosu has a little bit of arrogance about him, but in the right way. His clips on You Tube don't do him justice: From the Lookman stable

Fosu says that Charlton are a 'massive' club which suggests that he hasn't been to The Valley recently.

Former Charlton loanee Jordan Botaka has signed a three year deal with Sint Truiden.

Bad owners do go

Congratulations to Leyton Orient fans on getting rid of their Italian owner and being taken over by a consortium headed by a lifelong fan: Leyton Orient

Orient fans have worked tirelessly for this outcome.

Getting rid of players is difficult

Igor Vetokele is to join Sint Truiden next season, it is not clear whether this is a loan or a permanent move, but with Roland owning both clubs that is of little importance: On His Way

With season ticket sales flagging, the club is keen to offload players given long contracts. However, no one seems to want Naby Sarr, while efforts are also being made to find a home for the highest paid player at The Valley, Jorge Teixeira.

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has tweeted that Katrien Meire is still paying over the going rate, so 'let's hope the signings are the right ones this time.'

Clubs chase Ricky Holmes

Charlton have knocked back a new bid for Ricky Holmes and more than one club is chasing him: Bid rejected

Keeping him is essential to any chance of success next season.

Campaign to start against Gasheads

Charlton face Bristol Rovers at home in their opening fixture of the 2017-18 season. They then make the long journey down to Plymouth: Fixtures

The home fixture against Portsmouth is close to the date of the historic December 5th meeting which saw the return to The Valley.

Kashi is back

Ahmed Kashi, one of the most talented signings made under the current regime, is to start pre-season training later this month. Karl Robinson has put his midfielder signing plans on hold until it becomes clear how ready Kashi is: Ahmed Kashi

One fan has commented on Twitter, 'Another excuse for Duchatelet not to spend money. Kashi's fitness record is diabolical.'

Reading fringe player Tariqe Fosu has signed for Charlton. The winger spent most of last year with Colchester United: Tariq Fosu

Mark Marshall signed

Charlton have signed Bradford winger Mark Marshall. He is from London and is keen to return home: Mark Marshall

Katrien Meire broke her vow of silence to comment on the signing.

Players not up for it need to go

Simon Clark has revealed why he left his coaching post at The Valley: Coach speaks out

He also thinks that Charlton needs a clear out of players. There are too many who are not committed to the cause. A different approach to playing games is also needed.

No bid for Maddison says Robinson

Karl Robinson has said that Charlton will not be bidding for Peterborough midfielder Marcus Maddison: No bid

Just as well as Peterborough's chairman was able to point out that Robinson would not be able to afford him given the size of his transfer budget.

The price tag on him is £1.5m and he is also one of the highest earners at London Road. Aston Villa are said to be interested.

Page out until October

Lewis Page is likely to be out until October. He needed a second operation after slipping on a wet surface in a 'freak accident': Forgotten man

Ajose told to fight for his future

Nicky Ajose has been told to fight his future by Karl Robinson, a familiar line with the Charlton supremo as players who have not fitted in return to The Valley: Message for striker

In his goal scoring spree at Swindon, the whole team was set up to feed him which was not the case at Charlton. He did less well on his return to the Rocking Robins when the team was playing to a different plan.

Ajose might well decide that his future lies elsewhere.

No longer a crowded dugout

Earlier in the season Charlton had so many coaches it was difficult for them all to fit in the dugout. Now Chris O'Loughlin has been shown the door: Valete

I would say 'thanks for all you tried to do', but it is not clear what he did do, other than reporting back to Roland.

Karl Robinson will now be assisted by Lee Bowyer, although Johnnie Jackson will also be available if he is not needed as a sub.

Club an 'absolute nightmaere'

Former Charlton player Simon Church has described the club as an 'absolute nightmare': Damning verdict

I met up with some fellow Addicks for a summer meal and drink yesterday and we saw no early prospect of Roland's departure.

Charlton still in hunt for Ben Reeves

Charlton would still like to sign Ben Reeves who comes with the peerless pedigree of having played for MK Dons where his contract is about to expire: Top summer target

Like imminent signing Billy Clarke he is a forward rather than a striker who likes to play behind the front men.

Jason Potter has started a new blog on Charlton Athletic programmes: Programmes

Fee agreed for striker

Charlton Athletic have agreed a fee for 29-year old Bradford City striker Billy Clarke, subject to a medical tomorrow: Billy Clarke

Irish by birth, he is a product of the Ipswich Town academy. After playing almost all games for the Bantams in 2014-15, he featured very little in 2015-16: Career details

He did suffer from injury problems and some think that he plays just behind the strikers, creating goal scoring opportunities.

Academy product heads for Fens

Goalkeeper and Charlton academy product Dimitar Mitov has joined Cambridge United: Dimitar Mitov

With just one year left on his contract injury hit Harry Lennon is fighting for his Addicks future: Harry Lennon

Ricky Holmes has been offered a new contract in an effort to end uncertainty about his future: Ricky Holmes

When Allan Simonsen came to The Valley

The latest Four Four Two has a feature article on when Allan Simonsen came to The Valley, based on interviews with Lennie Lawrence and Steve Gritt.

Charlton chairman Mark Hulyer, at 28 the youngest chairman in the league, wanted a marquee signing. His first target was Kevin Keegan, but when that failed, he turned to Simonsen. He knew about Simonsen's friendship with Addicks youth coach Ernst Netuka.

Simonsen's transfer fee of £324,000 was well above Charlton's £270,000 annual income. His weekly wage was £1,500.

Lennie Lawrence recalls, 'He was a very talented boy, a great player in a distinctly average side that was battling to save its life. His performances at home were match-winning. But away, we didn't see too much.' All bar but one of his goals came at The Valley.

Steve Gritt recalls, 'I remember he would say in training "Why don't we pass the ball?" as it was lumped over his head again. He just couldn't understand why we were not playing like Barcelona.'

Lawrence reckons that getting back to Denmark may have been Simonsen's motive all along.

Scouts hope to watch Konsa

Arsenal and Everton scouts have been asked to take a look at Ezri Konsa in the Under 20 World Cup (where Ademola Lookman scored two goals): Scouting mission

So far they will have had to focus on his deportment on the bench for that is where the late call up has been deployed.

Australian interest diminishes

The interest of an Australian consortium in buying Charlton has diminished: Losing interest

One fan commented,'Sounds like they were a bunch of chancers trying to buy the club without the financial clout to do it.'

What is concerning is the suggestion in the report that Roland Duchatelet may be looking for £40m, far too much for a League One club.