Charlton transfer chief reveals talks with ex-Millwall duo as he did character check on new boy MacGillivray

Charlton director of football Steve Gallen has revealed he sounded out his brother Joe – and former Millwall boss Kenny Jackett – before signing Craig MacGillivray.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper yesterday became the Addicks’ second addition of the summer.

MacGillivray has put pen to paper on a deal until 2023. He is a free agent after Portsmouth did not activate a contract clause.

The stopper won Pompey’s Player of the Year award last season but financial constraints meant the South Coast outfit let him move on.

Gallen’s brother Joe and Jackett were both at Portsmouth until a managerial change in the second half of last season. Gallen was also his assistant at Millwall.

MacGillivray replaces Ben Amos, who has joined Wigan Athletic.

Gallen told Charlton’s website: “It is something that has been rumbling on since the end of the season. As soon as I found out Portsmouth weren’t keeping Craig on, I moved in straight away and I’ve been speaking to his representative for six weeks.

“Consistency is the main thing with Craig. Everyone I’ve spoken to him has said about that. He has always done well against us. He makes big saves. He is consistent, mature…a good goalkeeper.

“I can speak to Joe a bit more now about it. In a way we were rivals before and wouldn’t speak too much about transfers and players. Joe has gone with Kenny Jackett to Leyton Orient, and so now we’re not as big a rivals. He spoke very highly of Craig. I also spoke to Kenny, and he spoke very highly of him.

“I expect players to be coming in. I won’t put any timeline on it, just yet. It’s all in motion. There’s going to be some more happening now.

“Once you get one or two [signings] then one or two more will start happening. We’ll get it moving now.”