Charlton Athletic take Portsmouth defender on loan

Charlton Athletic have signed Portsmouth centre-back Tom McIntyre on loan.

The 26-year-old defender started on the books of Reading and had been one of their leading performers before Pompey moved for him in the 2024 January transfer window.

The Royals’ financial plight at the time meant they were forced to take an offer, believed to be around £75,000, for McIntyre, who was due to be out of contract in the summer.

McIntyre’s contract at Portsmouth runs until the summer of 2026 with a club option of a further 12 months.

He has made 13 appearances this season, 12 in the Championship. Eleven of those league matches were starts although he has not featured since the middle of December.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones said: “Tom is a centre-half with a load of experience. He got in the Reading side as a young player and has played in the Championship for the majority of his career.

“He’s a real good footballing centre-half, one that can develop play for us and one that has real good experience and pedigree for his age. We’ve been able to strengthen and add a bit more balance to our defence with him being left-footed.”
McIntyre said: “It’s a brilliant feeling. It’s been a late one, one that was really appealing to me. As soon as I heard that there was a bit of interest from Charlton, I was really excited to get it done.”

Charlton technical director Andy Scott said: “We’re really happy we’re bringing Tom in. He’s a real competitor.

“We’ve had some very impressive reports on him as a character – he really wants to come in and prove his worth. He’s left-footed, a good footballer, brave – he’s played at full-back, centre-back and as a holding midfielder. It’s a really good opportunity for him and for us.”

PICTURE: CHARLTON ATHLETIC/FOCUS IMAGES