Charlton legend set to join academy coaching staff

Former Charlton defender Chris Solly is set to join the club’s academy coaching staff.

The 33-year-old announced his retirement from football to focus on his coaching career at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Solly made 313 appearances for the Addicks after coming through the club’s academy, winning two promotions, two Player of the Year awards and one Young Player of the Year award.

The right-back was released by the South Londoners in 2020 and joined Ebbsfleet United, where he made 97 outings before calling time on his playing days.

“Spending 18 years at a club is a rarity for any player and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity the club gave me,” said Solly, in a post on X when he announced his retirement.

“I cherished every single day.

“It really is a special club filled with so many special people.

“The dressing room will be my biggest miss and the memories created with my team-mates throughout the years are endless.

“It’s been well-documented about my knee issues and to be told at 22 I had no chance of playing until 30, to be sat writing this at 33 is proof I gave absolutely everything alongside some excellent medical guidance.”