Wales boss Ryan Giggs helped Charlton transfer chief to complete Chris Gunter signing during lockdown

Steve Gallen reckons Chris Gunter has already proven to be class addition at Charlton Athletic – and has revealed how he juggled landing the Wales international at the same time as trying to complete a move for another target.

The Addicks were in for Danish striker Ronnie Schwartz but he ended up staying at FC Midtjylland.

Charlton did sign experienced right-back Gunter – but at the time he was on duty with his country.

Gallen, the Addicks’ director of football, said: “With Gunter I had to drive to Wales and it was the middle of the lockdown there – you can’t go here, you can’t do this.

“The Welsh FA people were really nice. Ryan Giggs gave us a little room for me and the physio to do the medical in Cardiff.

“The Ronnie Schwarz thing was going on that night – I was trying to show Chris respect by sitting with him and chatting while being on the phone to Denmark and America [to Charlton’s owner Thomas Sandgaard] asking: ‘Is this deal done yet?’.

“I was trying to do it without being disrespectful to Chris. I’d have gone to Denmark to get him. He’s hardly put a foot wrong and I knew he’d be good.”