Highly-rated Charlton Athletic defender – who played at U20 World Cup – signs two-year professional deal

Highly-rated defender Josh Laqeretabua has signed a two-year professional contract at Charlton Athletic.

The 17-year-old join the Addicks at U9 level and played for Fiji at the U20 World Cup recently.

Laqeretabua was part of Charlton’s title-winning U18 team last season.

“He is one we’re really excited about,” Charlton boss Dean Holden told the South London Press. “We have tied up a couple recently and the fans saw some of the lads at Cheltenham on the final day of the season – I think there were 10 academy graduates on the pitch at one time.

“Laqeretabua is another one. He’s only young and still got a lot of development in him. But he’s got a really good profile – his athleticism and the way he plays the ball. We’ve got really high hopes for him.

“He has a fantastic attitude. My thinking when I first came in was to get the youth team back involved with the first team. Even though we are on the same site it is a good exercise. He comes in with a couple of other lads every morning, with the senior staff, to see what equipment we need for training. I’ve got to know him quite well over the last couple of months.

“He’s been away this summer internationally.

“We’re really excited about him. Really excited. We don’t want to put too much pressure on any young player. He is another from the batch. We’re so lucky to have this wonderful academy, breeding these players.

“He can play a number of positions but he is a really good technician. He has got a high ceiling.”

Laqeretabua, speaking before his time away internationally, told Charlton’s website: “It’s always been a dream for me to get a call-up to the country that both of my parents are from. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.

“I found out about the call-up after a 5-0 loss to Peterborough. I was in the car journey home and dad told me. It was a bit of a contrast, you are over the moon but still a bit held back from the loss.”