Charlton Athletic complete permanent signing of West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry
Charlton Athletic have completed the signing of West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry on a deal until the summer of 2027.
We exclusively revealed that the Addicks wanted to sign the 23-year-old but it looked as if they were going to miss out on Coventry when Sheffield Wednesday entered the race.
The Owls’ negotiations for the player were slowed as they struggled to agree sell-on terms with West Ham, who had initially been demanding 50 per cent.
But Coventry’s camp then withdrew from talks with the Championship strugglers yesterday afternoon.
He is Charlton’s third signing of the January transfer window after the loan additons of Lewis Fiorini and Tyreeq Bakinson.
During Wednesday’s online meeting with fans it was referenced that technical director Andy Scott was meeting a player to try and persuade them to sign – and that was Coventry, who excelled in England’s third tier with Milton Keynes and also had a strong loan with Rotherham United last season.
Addicks head coach Michael Appleton said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to sign Conor. He’s someone that quite a few years ago I took on his very first loan at Lincoln. To be able to be reunited with him on a permanent deal I’m delighted with.
“He’s very, very comfortable on the ball and knows his position really well. He’s a good passer of the ball, with good technique, and he’s got a steeliness to him as well which I like – a bit of nastiness to him. He’s one who lives his life right and is a proper professional.”
Scott added: “We’re really pleased to secure the signing of Conor.
“He’s a player we’ve been chasing for a long time. We’ve beaten off a number of competitors, not only in League One, but in the Championship as well. He’s shown how committed he is to Charlton and what we want to achieve here. It’s an exciting signing for the club and I’m sure the fans will enjoy watching him on the pitch.”
Coventry said: “The vision of the gaffer and the people behind the scenes with where they want to take the club. I’m from London so I know what this club means to people and the size of it. I’m really looking forward to buying into what is going on here and being a part of it.”