Former Charlton midfielder wins at Wembley and makes Premier League return

Former Charlton midfielder Joe Aribo helped Southampton make a Premier League return at the first time of asking after a Championship play-off final win over Leeds at Wembley on Sunday.

Camberwell-born Aribo completed the entire game as Adam Armstrong’s 24th-minute goal made the difference in the contest.

Aribo made 97 appearances for the Addicks – the final one being their 2019 League One play-off final victory over Sunderland.

He rejected a new contract and then moved as a free agent to Rangers in 2019 for a nominal compensation sum.

Aribo joined Southampton in 2022.

The former Staines Town player was relegated with the Saints in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign – making 21 top-flight outings.

Southampton finished fourth in the Championship, with Aribo featuring 35 times in the regular season and scoring four times.

They beat West Brom in the play-off semi-finals and then downed Leeds in front of 85,862 people at Wembley.