Charlton Athletic win race for Preston striker Jayden Stockley – with Lee Bowyer’s old connections paying off

Charlton Athletic have signed Preston striker Jayden Stockley on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old trained with his new team-mates on Friday morning.

Stockley goes into the Addicks squad for their home match against Swindon Town tomorrow.

Bristol Rovers and Sunderland were also keen on the well-travelled frontman, who was highly prolific at Exeter City.

Stockley’s arrival casts doubt over the future of Omar Bogle in SE7 as the former Cardiff City and Grimsby man has dropped down the pecking order. Charlton are set to listen to any offers for Bogle, who joined at the start of October.

Addicks manager Lee Bowyer’s good rapport with former Leeds United Peter Ridsdale, who advises the Preston hierarchy, helped swing the Stockley deal in the Addicks’ favour.

“There was a lot of interest in him, he’s a good striker and normally in these transfer windows good strikers don’t become available,” Bowyer told the club’s official website.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Peter Risdale at Preston and I have to thank him for his help and obviously the manager and their owner. He’s a Championship striker and with their help and a lot of our persistence, we were able to fend off interest from other clubs.

“We know what problems he caused us last season, so I’m delighted to have him here. With his experience, his goals, he is definitely going to add to us.”

Stockley added: “I’m very proud to be a Charlton player, it is something that has been going on in the background for a few days now. It feels great to finally be here.

“Looking at the way Charlton play and where they are in the league table and the excitement that brings and the potential of what can happen are factors that drew me to coming here.

“Being at The Valley is great, I’d forgotten how big it was. I just want to get on to the pitch now, I hope to create some very good memories here for the remainder of the season.”

Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard said: “It’s great we have been able to bring in another prolific striker to the club. Jayden has shown he can score goals and gives us more options going forwards.

“Interest in Jayden was high, so I am delighted we have been able to bring him to Charlton. We have a strikeforce that will be the envy of many teams in our division, so I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.”

PICTURES: CAFC