Udinese defender set for Charlton Athletic loan move

Charlton Athletic are set to sign Udinese centre-back James Abankwah on loan.

The Addicks had made adding a defender a priority before the transfer window closes at 11pm this evening.

Republic of Ireland U21 international Abankwah, 19, joined the Serie A club in January 2022 on a four-year contract from St Patrick’s Athletic.

Ireland manager Jim Crawford called Abankwah up for qualifiers against Turkey and San Marino.

Crawford said: “He is possibly between a rock and a hard place at the minute.

“He is too old for their (Udinese’s) U19s and he is on a substitute bench where you can have quite a number of players.

“I think he’s got an abundance of talent in terms of his defensive qualities. He is strong and pacy, in one-v-one situations he is excellent.

“So what he needs to be doing now is possibly getting out and playing more games. That’s something James needs to trigger with the club.

“I know there has been interest in him from certain clubs in Europe.”