A new Payne added in Charlton’s latest transfer window – Derby, Wrexham and Crawley Town were all keen on Valley new boy

No Payne, no gain. Ben Garner has a very clear football philosophy – and bringing in a playmaker from his former club was one of his big priorities this summer.

A deal that had been on ice, at least while Charlton Athletic looked to balance the books under the SCMP (Salary Cost Management Protocols), started to seriously heat up at the back end of last week before being concluded on Monday, as temperatures in the capital soared to a sizzling 37 degrees.

Jack Payne had been on the Addicks’ radar 12 months ago when Swindon Town lost their League One status. Despite a free transfer release clause following their relegation to England’s fourth tier, a switch failed to happen.

This time around the 27-year-old midfielder had lucrative deals on the table from National League Wrexham, whose spending power was underlined by the recent addition of Elliot Lee following his release by Luton, and Crawley Town, taken over by a American cryptocurrency investment group in April. Derby County were also serious contenders until Wayne Rooney, a big admirer, quit for DC United in the MLS.

Swindon also fought hard to keep Payne, who scored 13 goals and collected five assists as they reached the play-offs in May before losing to Port Vale in the semi final.

The former Tottenham trainee played 88 matches in two seasons in Wiltshire.

“It’s emotional leaving but I don’t think any Swindon fans will begrudge me when they look at the club I have come to,” Payne, who has made 333 career appearances, told the South London Press.

“It’s a better league. I wish Swindon all the best in the future but this is a dream move – I could never turn this down.

“There were quite a few clubs that showed really good interest but Charlton ticked all the boxes for me – being back in League One was big for me. I worked with the manager last season and had a really good relationship. I played some of my best football under him, hopefully I can replicate that here. Then there is the stadium and training ground – it was everything as a package.

“I’m back nearer home. I grew up in Ilford, around Gants Hill, but my family have moved since then to Heybridge. It’s a 45-minute journey from there. It’s the first time in six years I’ve been within any sort of reasonable distance from home, which is pleasing for all my friends and family.”

Just like with Mandela Egbo and Joe Wollacott, who also quit Swindon once their deals expired, Garner is getting a player who already understands his methodology.

“To put it simply, he gives us all the tools – there is no stone left unturned,” is Payne’s appraisal of the former Crystal Palace first-team coach. “We got over all the detail in the week – how the opposition is going to play and where we think the spaces are going to be – so that gives you the opportunity to get in as much space as possible.

“He gives you the freedom when you’re on the ball to create. And if you lose the ball it’s fine, as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons and trying to make positive decisions. He gave me a lot of confidence and belief to play how I wanted to play in the structure.”

“Off the ball it’s about pressing high and being on the front foot.

“I can play as an eight or a 10. Last season under Ben I also played a couple of times on the right, coming inside. I even played as a left wing-back at times.

“My favourite position would probably be eight, either on the left or right. But as long as I’m on the pitch, I’m happy.”

Payne trained with Charlton, Arsenal and Spurs between the ages of seven and nine.

“I was never officially on the books – I was spending one night at each, and then playing for one at the weekend,” he explained.

“Then I went to Tottenham until the age of 13. Tom Carroll was the year above me and Harry Kane was a couple of age groups above me. The only one still playing now from my group is Cauley Woodrow, who has just gone to Luton.

“I spent a couple of years playing Sunday league for Buckhurst Hill and for Redbridge District. We won a local tournament and I got scouted from there by Southend.”

Payne scored the Shrimpers’ fourth penalty as they beat Wycombe to win the 2015 League Two play-off final.

He scored nine goals and collected six assists to win their Player of the Year award in their first season in League One.

Huddersfield then signed him on a three-year contract and he featured 24 times in the Championship, 10 of those as a starter, as David Wagner’s side won  the 2017 play-off final against Reading.

Payne was just 21 when he joined the Terriers.

“My first year at Huddersfield was amazing,” he said. “I played just under 30 games and we got promoted from the Championship.

“To experience that was incredible, but it might have come a bit too soon in my career. I could’ve done with a couple more years in the Championship to make myself a bit more established.

“I wasn’t quite ready for that step up to the Premier League. I had to make the step back down.

“Now, coming to a big club like Charlton, it has come at a perfect time in my career. I’m definitely ready to make that step up.”

The 2017-18 campaign was still an immensely successful one for Payne in League One.

He played 52 times, notching eight goals and 15 assists, as he cut short a season-long loan at Oxford to finish the second half of the season at Blackburn Rovers, who accrued 96 points to finish runners up behind Wigan Athletic.

Payne barely hesitates when asked what the target should be for his new employers.

“Promotion, simple as that.

“I know it was a bit of a disappointing last season, the lads finished 13th. We definitely need to improve on that. The standard in League One has risen over the last few years. It will be difficult, a lot of clubs will expect promotion.

“But the size of this club, they deserve to be playing higher. Myself and the lads will be doing everything we can to try and provide that.”

Payne has signed a two-year contract with Charlton and is determined to shine on a bigger stage.

“I feel really fit and you see now that players play longer and longer – their peak ages get slightly higher,” he said. “The next four of five years I definitely feel are going to be my best years in football.

“I want to be playing at an amazing club and it fits really well.”