Lee Bowyer has praise for Charlton owner and former Leeds chief for helping striker deal happen

Lee Bowyer has expressed his gratitude to Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard for bringing in Jayden Stockley.

The Addicks boss also used his relationship with Peter Ridsdale, an advisor to the Preston board, to help swing a deal in their favour for the centre-forward.

Bowyer played for Leeds when Ridsale was the chairman.

“Relationships you build in football are important – our loans in the past have always done that,” said Bowyer. “Even with Ryan Inniss, Steve Gallen’s relationship with Dougie Freedman at Crystal Palace helped get him through the door. My relationship with West Ham, that was a factor in getting Josh Cullen.

“I know Peter from our Leeds days and he did well for us, to make this happen. But you’ve got to have a player who wants to come to you as well. Once Jayden knew we were interested then it was us he wanted to come to.

“Financially it’s tough for us [with the salary cap]. A lot of things had to come together for this to happen, which I’m grateful to the owner. He has the final say. I’m also thankful to the Preston owner, who was kind enough to let him come to us, with Peter’s help.

“He is just the type of striker we needed. Someone like that coming available doesn’t happen very often. I remember two years ago we lost Karlan [Grant] and couldn’t really replace with someone we wanted. Strikers very rarely come available.

“We have brought someone in who is perfect for the way we play. He’s a targetman and we get crosses and balls in the box. He holds the ball up and links with the midfield – he caused us problems last season. I thought at the time ‘it would be great to get him here’.

“I’m thankful he wanted to come here but with what we have done with strikers in the past it didn’t surprise me that he wanted to come here – with the ones we have had come and go on. So it was a wise choice from him as well.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS