Crewe boss gives his verdict on Charlie Kirk’s Charlton move

David Artell has piled praise on new Charlton Athletic signing Charlie Kirk.

The 23-year-old winger joined the Addicks earlier this week for an undisclosed fee.

Kirk scored 32 goals in 206 appearances for Crewe. He netted nine times as Artell’s side won promotion from League Two in 2020.

Artell said: “The first thing to say is that he certainly goes with my blessing. He’s a great fella, good player – he has been a terrific servant to this football club. And he deserves the opportunity to play wherever he so wishes.

“I often have managers in my office after a game or if I’m in somebody else’s office and [they say] ‘oh, he must be a problem, that Kirk’. He’s the nicest fella you could meet. He’s always trained hard every day.

“Every now and again he’d let himself down with poor body language and people used to jump on that. But he is a terrific lad. He’s had some real tough few days with stuff in his personal life.

“This football club has done really well for him. We’ve nurtured him and developed him. He’s helped us get into League One. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him.

“Last year he was disappointed to only score six or seven in League One – he set up another six or seven. The year before he had something like 14 assists and 10 goals in League Two. He’s gone for a transfer fee and that helps this club survive and grow.”