Charlton Athletic boss Holden “really comfortable” with transfer window state of play for Addicks

Dean Holden has described himself as “really comfortable” with the pace of Charlton Athletic’s transfer window business.

The Addicks confirmed the signing of centre-back Lloyd Jones at the end of last week to make their second addition of the summer market. The Cambridge United defender was out of contract at the end of June.

Keeper Harry Isted, who was also a free agent after being released by Luton Town, was signing number one. He made his first appearance for the South London club in the 4-0 win over Welling on Saturday.

Charlton are the subject of a takeover bid. SE7 Partners signed a share purchase agreement with Thomas Sandgaard to acquire the football club. The process is now with the EFL, with indications it will not be completed before the end of July.

Holden, asked about the speed of incoming transfer activity for the Addicks, told BBC Radio London: “Things are a little bit slower, at times, when you are trying to get answers on things – because it has got to go to Thomas and the new owners to be agreed. There are no real obstacles. I’m pleased with the two players we have brought in up until now.

“There is lot more works going on, in terms of bringing more players in, and one or two leaving as well.

“I’m really comfortable where we’re at, at the moment. In a perfect world you’d have all your squad done and ready for day one of pre-season but it doesn’t work like that for the majority of clubs.

Dean Holden came live on @BBCLondonSport after today’s game at Welling to talk transfers, takeover etc.

3hrs 30mins or so into the show. #cafchttps://t.co/OX78PGXGIZ

— Louis Mendez (@LouisMend) July 1, 2023

“It would be easy to go and sign five, six or seven players who would be out of contract and easy to get. We’re after players who are looking at Championship moves and looking at players who are also talking to big League One clubs. Charlton sells itself, to some extent, but the players want to know where the club is going, what our ambition is and how they are going to fit into the style of play – a lot of time and effort has gone into that.

“We’re probably talking in double figures for the players we’ve met, had around the training ground and had conversations with. You’ve got to respect they have got options as well because they are good players.

“Once the new owners have got the full guidance from the EFL and are properly in the door, so to speak, then we’ll obviously sit down with them and have good conversations, I’m sure, about how they see the club moving forward.

“At the moment my conversations, at recruitment level, are with Steve Gallen, Peter Storrie – has been a huge part of that – and, of course, Thomas Sandgaard. The new owners can’t, and rightly so, have any real influence on the running of the club until the EFL have given that approval.

“I don’t get too carried away with all the noise. The sooner it gets done the better it would be for everybody, obviously, the supporters included. But we can only control what we can control and we’re looking to bring some really good players in.

“We need to make sure we not only bring the right quality of player in but also the right mentality as well. We are a big club but we’ve been much higher up the pyramid in previous seasons but now we’re not – we’re in League One. We need to show we have the fight, quality and everything you need to get out of the division.

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS