Charlton Athletic boss hoping young midfield prospect stays for the long term
Charlton manager Ben Garner is hoping that midfielder Aaron Henry can be a part of his long-term plans.
The midfielder celebrated his 19th birthday on Wednesday and marked it with a goal in the Addicks’ 3-0 win over Gillingham in the EFL Trophy.
Henry is out of contract at the end of the season but the South London club would be partly protected in terms of a fee as he joined them at U10 level following his release by Arsenal.
The former England U16 international gained his first league minutes for Charlton as a late sub against Cambridge last month.
He clocked up 85 minutes in the 1-0 victory against Walsall in the EFL Cup as well as converting in the 6-4 penalty shootout win over QPR in the first round.
Picture : Keith Gillard
“He is a player that I’d like to keep here for the future and the longer term,” Garner told the South London Press. “He has got great talent and great ability – lots to learn and improve, which he is well aware of. But he wants to do it – improve and add to his game.
“He has got the talent, for sure, to do well in his career.”
Eight of Charlton’s academy players started in the Gills fixture with full debuts for Scottish defender Harris O’Connor, 20, and Daniel Kanu, 17.
The Addicks have lost just once in their opening nine fixtures in all competitions and are unbeaten in five games after seeing off League Two opposition in midweek.
Next up tomorrow is a trip to Bolton Wanderers, who did the double over Charlton last season.
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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Let us hope that Charlton’s ambition matches that of Aaron Henry? Oh well, never mind. TS’s strategy for Charlton is for the Academy to produce talent, get supporter’s to pay for their development through Valley Gold sponsorship, put them in the shop window once good enough, and then sell them on for a good transfer fee (inc generous sell-on clause) before pocketing a sizeable profit. That is TS’s business model while all the time feeding fans a continuous line in American BS. If Aaron Henry is wise, he will put his own ambitions first.