Sean Clare signs two-year deal with Charlton Athletic – joins for undisclosed fee from Oxford United

Sean Clare has signed a two-year contract at Charlton Athletic after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Oxford United.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who had a spell in the Addicks’ academy, impressed on loan at Burton Albion in the second half of last season.

Clare is Charlton’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window.

He told the club’s official website: “It’s really exciting.

“I’m really happy to get it done. It is a club that I’ve had close to my heart for a very long time. To come back and have the chance to do what I dreamt of as a kid, to play in the first team, to be successful with a massive club like Charlton is something I’m really excited to do.”

Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard added: “Part of our strategy is identifying talented young players, who are improving, and bringing them to Charlton. We were impressed with what we saw from Sean, so I am looking forward to seeing him at The Valley this season.”

Clare was initially used at right-back by Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.

And Robinson, a former Charlton boss, told BBC Oxford in June: “It’s down to Sean to come back as a number eight and to prove that is his position.

“If he doesn’t want to do it, that’s football – be straight with me. I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it.

“The game’s evolved for three or four years now where you’re begging, kicking and screaming for people to stay and we want them to play for us.

“That’s going to be our message to all the players this summer – if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.

“If Sean wants to come to a team that’s consistently been in the top six for two years and keep us in there, come and get your place. If you don’t and you feel the challenge is beyond that, and you want to move on, we have to do some business that’s right for the football club.

“If Sean goes we have to replace with better.”