The Valley was rocking yesterday as Charlton kicked off the new Championship season with a bang – and by “bang” I mean Harvey Knibbs’ 94th-minute winner that had 21,778 Addicks bouncing.
Watford came to SE7 with more of the ball, more patience, and more yellow shirts than I ever want to see again. But it was Charlton who had more heart, more edge, and crucially… more shots on target.
The Line-Up
The Stats Tell the Story
Watford knocked it around nicely, but all that possession just meant our lads could rest up between bursts of pressing. When we did have the ball, we made it count.
Player-by-Player Nuggets
Lloyd Jones – The Surprise Striker
When your centre-back is the team’s top shooter, you know it’s been a spicy afternoon. Jones had 3 shots (2 on target!) and was a constant threat from set pieces. Rating: Brick wall at the back, battering ram up top.
Rob Apter – Right Wing Rocket
Making his debut, Apter was everywhere. Bagged 3 tackles (joint-most for us) and gave Watford’s left-back a nightmare afternoon. Rating: Pace, power, personality – get used to seeing him start.
Josh Edwards – Foul Magnet
Four fouls drawn. FOUR. If the ref had a loyalty card for free kicks won, Josh would’ve earned us a free pizza by halftime. Rating: Plays like a man with Velcro boots.
Harvey Knibbs – The Hero
On for just 14 minutes, Knibbs touched the ball a handful of times… but one of those was a cool finish deep into stoppage time. SE7 went wild. Rating: Short cameo, long memory.
Watford’s Afternoon
They had the ball. They kicked us (16 fouls). They tackled less (only 10 tackles in total). Only Imrân Louza got a shot on target. Oh, and striker Luca Kjerrumgaard… committed 5 fouls. Not exactly clinical.
Final Whistle Thoughts
Charlton might not have bossed the ball, but we bossed the moments that mattered. Knibbs’ late goal was the cherry on a gritty, passionate display. The Valley felt alive, the new signings looked sharp, and there’s already a sense that this season could be something special.
Up next: Keep this energy rolling – and maybe let’s not wait until injury time for the drama. But where’s the fun in that?
The start of the season is now upon us. The pre-season is finished, and this week’s preparation will all be focused on the opener against Watford on Saturday.
Let’s review the business we have done.
Ins
Sonny Carey (Blackpool)
Player Background
Sonny Carey’s taken the scenic route to the Championship. Born in Norwich, he started out at Norwich City’s academy but ended up playing non-league football with Norwich United, Wroxham, and then King’s Lynn Town, where he made a name for himself. After a standout spell there (including an FA Cup winner), he earned a move to Blackpool in 2021.
At Bloomfield Road, he clocked up over 130 games and became a regular starter. Last season in League One, he hit great form, scoring 11 goals and showing he could drive a team forward from midfield.
What to Expect
Carey’s a proper all-action midfielder, athletic, positive on the ball, and not shy of a shot. He’s known for carrying the ball well, finding space, and chipping in with goals.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones rates him highly and sees him as someone who can create, score, and bring real energy to the team. He’s got Championship experience and still room to grow. Exactly the type of player you want stepping up with the club.
Thomas Kaminski (Luton)
Player Background
Belgian shot‑stopper Thomas Kaminski joined Charlton Athletic in July 2025 after becoming a standout at Luton Town. Born in October 1992, he began his pro career with Germinal Beerschot in Belgium in 2009 before playing for the likes of OH Leuven, Anderlecht, Kortrijk, Gent and even loan spells in Cyprus and Denmark.
He made the move to English football in 2020, signing for Blackburn Rovers, playing over 100 games in the Championship. Winning their Player of the Season award in 2020–21.
In 2023, he joined Premier League newcomers Luton, where he started every league game in 2023–24 and earned the Premier League’s Save of the Season with a brilliant double‑stop against Crystal Palace. He racked up 85 appearances and single-handedly delivered 11 Championship clean sheets the following season despite Luton’s struggles. Internationally, he made his senior Belgium debut in March 2024 after years of youth caps
What to Expect
Kaminski is a veteran keeper who brings serious composure and reliability between the sticks. He’s known for his reflexes and ability to make big saves under pressure.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones calls him “one of the best in the Championship” and expects him to be first choice right away. With almost 200 games in England’s top two tiers and plenty of clean sheets to his name, Kaminski is expected to be a solid, commanding presence and a vocal leader. Exactly the kind of experience you want at the back when stepping up a division.
Tanto Olaofe (Stockport)
Player Background
A London-born striker (Lewisham), he came through Millwall’s academy, where he made just a handful of senior appearances before developing on loan at Sutton United, scoring 16 goals in their National League promotion season in 2021 and another eight goals in League Two in 2022.
He moved to Stockport County in January 2023 (for around £150k) and went on to net 20 goals in 43 League Two games during the 2023–24 promotion campaign. Last season in League One, he added 12 goals and 4 assists from 51 appearances.
Charlton manager Nathan Jones described him as: “young, hungry, athletic … the sort of player who wants to play at the next level”.
What to Expect
Olaofe is a pacey, powerful centre-forward who thrives on running in behind and using his strength in duels. He mirrors a hybrid of Tyreece Campbell and Chuks Aneke in style: not flashy, but direct and physical, with a nose for goals and movement to cause defenders real problems. His expected goals (xG) closely matched his actual numbers last season, showing he consistently got into the right positions.
While some question his finishing, stemming from a miss in the League One play-off semi-final, analysts note that he was converting at expected levels and remains efficient in front of goal.
Stockport boss Dave Challinor reckons Championship defences might leave space for players like Olaofe to exploit: his pace and pressing style suit Charlton’s aggressive setup.
Reece Burke (Luton)
Player Background
Reece Burke is a 28‑year‑old centre‑back who officially signed for Charlton Athletic in July 2025, reuniting with Nathan Jones, the manager who first signed him at Luton Town. A product of the West Ham academy (joining at age nine), he made his senior debut in early 2014 and played 15 times for the Hammers, earning Young Player of the Year in 2015.
He spent successive loan spells at Bradford City, Wigan Athletic, and Bolton Wanderers, being Bradford’s Player of the Year in 2015–16. In 2018, he moved permanently to Hull City, helping them earn League One promotion and making over 110 appearances across all levels.
Burke joined Luton Town on a free in June 2021, playing a key role in their rise to the Premier League via play-off success in 2023. He made over 100 appearances for the Hatters, including in the Premier League and Championship, although injury intermittently limited his involvement.
What to Expect
Expect a dependable, experienced defender; he’s got serious Championship and Premier League game time under his belt (around 200 top‑two tier appearances). He’s praised as a solid character and a “cornerstone” of Luton’s success, with manager Matt Bloomfield lamenting how injuries held him back last term.
Reece brings aerial presence (standing at about 6’2″) and positional smarts, having come through tough loan spells to shape his defensive game. He’s also chipped in with goals at Bradford and Luton, scoring key winners along the way.
Boss Nathan Jones calls him “a wonderful defender and a really good character” who’ll add leadership and experience at the back. It’s worth noting the injury history too: he’s never clocked more than 30 league appearances per season since joining Luton, so fitness will be the key to him unlocking his full potential at Charlton.
Amari’i Bell(Luton)
Player Background
Amari’i Bell is a rugged, athletic left-sided defender who joined Charlton Athletic in July 2025 on a two-year deal, reuniting with manager Nathan Jones, who first signed him at Luton Town in 2021.
The 31-year-old Jamaican international arrives after a successful four-year spell at Luton, where he made 157 appearances, including 21 Premier League games, and played a vital role in their promotion in 2023.
He started his senior career at Birmingham City, with several loans including Nuneaton, Kidderminster, Swindon, and Gillingham, before cementing his reputation at Fleetwood Town and later Blackburn Rovers, where he earned a spot in the PFA League One Team of the Year in 2017–18. Since switching to Luton, Bell has earned 28 caps for Jamaica, scoring in the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Panama.
What to Expect
Bell brings Championship and Premier League pedigree, plus excellent athleticism, pace, power, and positional flexibility across left-back or centre-back in a back three. Nathan Jones emphasised how comfortable he is with Bell, praising him as “a wonderful athlete with pace and power” and noting the rarity of left-sided centre-halves with his profile.
Despite a few recent injuries that some analysts feel may have sapped his explosive edge, Bell’s experience and tactical understanding still make him a solid anchor for Charlton’s defence. He’s expected to slot into a left centre-back role in a back three, especially if partnered with rapid wide cover to balance any loss of top-end pace.
Joe Rankin-Costello (Blackburn)
Player Background
Joe Rankin‑Costello, now 25, came through Manchester United’s youth setup before joining Blackburn Rovers’ academy in 2014. He turned pro in January 2017 and made his senior debut in October that season. Throughout eight seasons at Ewood Park, Joe chalked up 132 appearances across all competitions, including 115 Championship games, and scored six league goals.
He’s equally comfortable playing as a full-back (both right and left) or in midfield, making him a versatile squad option. In 2024–25 alone, he made 29 Championship appearances with two goals and two assists, ranking among the higher‑end contributors per 90 minutes in his position.
Joe brings years of Championship know‑how and reliable versatility to The Valley.
What to Expect
Expect a flexible, technically sound player who can slot into various roles across the back and midfield. He’s the sort who can cover injuries or tactical tweaks without needing time to adapt.
At Blackburn, managers leaned on him for consistency, solid defensively, tidy on the ball, and chipping in going forward from time to time. His energy and adaptability make him a great fit for a manager like Nathan Jones, who emphasised him as “versatile and technically excellent” with “good energy and lots of Championship experience”.
Rankin‑Costello isn’t flashy, but expect someone who knows the league, adds intelligent movement, and can help Charlton control wide areas or midfield transitions. He’s the kind of dependable squad piece who can quietly make a huge difference over a long season.
Rob Apter (Blackpool)
Player Background
Rob Apter joined Charlton Athletic in July 2025 from Blackpool, sealing a four-year deal after an eye-catching breakthrough season in League One. The 22-year-old Liverpool-born winger rose through Tranmere Rovers’ academy before moving to Blackpool in 2019.
He spent several loan spells across the pyramid (Bamber Bridge, Chester, Scunthorpe United) before a standout season back at Tranmere in 2023–24, registering 12 league goals and 6 assists in 37 appearances and earning the EFL League Two Young Player of the Season award. That form earned him his full chance at Blackpool, and under Steve Bruce in 2024–25, Apter played 43 league games, scored eight times (including a Good Friday hat-trick at Stevenage), and added several assists.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones praised him as “young, athletic… a really technical player” who “can score and assist… and will fit into our structure really, really well”.
What to Expect
Apter is a dynamic, technically gifted winger with genuine end product, eight goals, and around eight assists in League One demonstrates his attacking impact.
He’s known for cutting inside from the right onto his left foot, curling shots, and being direct, earning comparisons to Tyreece Campbell for his goal types and output exceeding his expected goals last season.
There’s some inconsistency: one analyst noted, “He runs hot and cold… alternately brilliant and invisible,” but when he’s on, he’s a match-winner.
At Charlton, he’s expected to be used wide or even in a hybrid wing-back or attacking midfield role, especially in high-tempo setups. His defensive work rate remains unproven, but joining behind disciplined players allows him license to take risks.
Charlie Kelman (QPR)
Player Background
Charlie Kelman, 23, became Charlton’s eighth summer signing in July 2025 with a four-year deal after an electric season on loan at Leyton Orient.
A Basildon-born forward who grew up partly in the U.S., Kelman started at Southend United’s academy. At 17, he made his senior debut — and sealed it with a goal from inside his own half. He scored 61 youth goals in one season and became Southend’s League One top scorer with five goals before moving to QPR in October 2020.
Kelman then spent time on loan at Gillingham, Wigan Athletic, and Leyton Orient. While his early loans were patchy, his second spell at Orient in 2024–25 saw him explode: 21 league goals (27 in all comps) and the League One Golden Boot, earning Player of the Month in April and nearly driving Orient to promotion before they lost to Charlton at Wembley.
What to Expect
Kelman is a natural goal-poacher, smart, work‑rate driven, and fearless in front of goal. His 27‑goal haul speaks for itself. He’s got history on the international scene, too, representing the USA at U18 and U20 levels.
Manager Nathan Jones sees him as the kind of forward Charlton needs: “a goalscorer … played lots of games … great age … everything we want”. That said, his coach at Leyton Orient, Richie Wellens, also warned Kelman could dip if his mindset slips: he praised his instinct but stressed consistency week to week, “when he lets things affect him, he does not have the same performance levels”.
Bottom line: expect someone hungry, clinical, and potentially hugely impactful in the Championship, provided he keeps his head and builds from last season’s confidence.
Harvey Knibbs (Reading)
Player Background
Harvey Knibbs, now 26, began in youth setups at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa before joining Cambridge United in 2019 on a free transfer from Villa. In his debut League Two season, he scored 9 goals in 31 starts to finish as top scorer, and helped Cambridge earn promotion to League One the following year.
Over four seasons at Cambridge, he made 121 league appearances, scoring 18 goals, and gradually became more versatile, playing as a striker, on the wing, or even in a number 10 role, while also contributing assists.
In July 2023, Knibbs signed for Reading on a free transfer. Across two seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25), he made around 88 league appearances, scoring 25 League One goals and supplying 12 assists, becoming the club’s top goalscorer both seasons.
Finally, on 1 August 2025, Charlton Athletic completed his move from Reading for a fee of around £1.8 million, signing him to a four‑year deal. Manager Nathan Jones described him as an athletic, goalscoring midfielder they had targeted for some time.
What to Expect
Knibbs is a goal-scoring midfielder-forward hybrid, shedding a pure striker role for a more rounded attacking midfielder. He’s creative, energetic, and capable of playing across the front line or just behind the striker. In the 2024–25 season alone, he netted 14 League One goals and added 6 assists, ranking in the 93rd percentile for goal contributions per 90 minutes in the division.
Charlton expected a player who “adds goals” from midfield, and Knibbs ticks that box, a consistent performer, athletic, and with real potential to develop further under Jones’s system.
In short: expect someone hungry, technical, and driven. Capable of driving Charlton’s attack with goals and creativity from midfield or the forward line.
Outs
Aaron Henry (Free to Boreham)
Thierry Small (Free to Preston)
Dean Bouzani (Free to Brisbane)
Nathan Asiimwe (Loan to Wimbledon)
Danny Hylton (Retired)
Quick snapshot of the summer business so far
Category
Details
Signings
9 players in—blend of free transfers and purchased talent
Departures
5 out (no outgoing fees)
Biggest Spend
£3.5m on Charlie Kelman
Key Signings
Knibbs adds attack creativity; Bell and Kaminski bring defensive quality.
Challenges
Filling Small/Aneke roles and smoothing team balance for Championship
Charlton’s business this summer shows clear intent: a stronger, more versatile squad built for life in the Championship. With experienced heads and exciting talent arriving, fans can look forward to an absorbing season with plenty to cheer.
It’s been a long time away, but finally, The Charlton Way is back.
Not going to put any pressure on myself to post, but going to publish my personal opinion on the ongoings at Charlton.
That can be my pre-match thoughts, post-match stats or just some fun like the Championship score predictor I have set up.
It feels good to get this site back up and running. Been paying for the domain for a long time, always having the hope and belief I would bring The Charlton Way back.
It might take a little time for me to get my writing head back, but looking forward to hearing others’ opinions and sharing my own.
To start with, I will be the sole publisher and admin for The Charlton Way, but like before, I might add admin and writers to The Charlton Way as the site grows again.
For those who have returned to visiting the site, thank you. To those who are coming here for the 1st time, welcome!
