Charlton Athletic sign Aston Villa attacker Andre Green on loan

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton have completed the loan signing of Aston Villa’s Andre Green.

The 21-year-old is the Addicks first signing of the January transfer window.

Green made 22 appearances for Aston Villa as they won promotion to the Premier League last season. He established himself after returning from a loan spell at Portsmouth and was involved in both the play-off semi-finals and the final victory over Derby County at Wembley.

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer said: “We’re looking forward to working with him. He’s a young, exciting player who is quick. Last season he helped Villa get into the Premier League, so for me it is very exciting.

“You need a bit of pace in the team and Andre has that.

“He can play out wide but also up top, like a Karlan [Grant], like a [Jonathan] Leko. Leko was an out-and-out winger when he came and we used him as a second striker and he got five goals and four assists.

“We’ll be looking for the same sort of things from Andre. In one-v-one situations he’s very good, he can provide for others, so we’re just looking to get him on the ball in the final third.”

The Addicks’ need for another attacker was increased by Jonathan Leko being ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Charlton’s head of recruitment Steve Gallen said: “He’s a replacement for Jonathan Leko and he’s a very good replacement. We tried to sign him in the summer and we’ve had our eye on him for a while. He is a good addition to the team, he’s fast, attacking and helped Villa to promotion last season so we’re pleased.

“I’m also pleased we’ve able to get a signing in at the start of the transfer window to support the manager given the injuries we have at the moment.”

Green is not available for tonight’s match at Swansea City.