The lowdown on new Charlton Athletic signing Jack Payne – the third Swindon Town player to make SE7 switch this summer
Jack Payne is Charlton Athletic’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old midfielder has signed a contract with the Addicks until the end of June 2024.
So what do we know about Charlton’s new addition?
SWINDON BADLY WANTED TO KEEP HIM
Payne has been one of Town’s leading lights and they put together a very attractive financial package to try and tempt him to re-sign with them. But, one theme of this window has been that when Charlton have come calling for any of Swindon’s out-of-contract players, they have opted to take the jump.
Payne joins Mandela Egbo and Joe Wollacott in making the switch. Only three of his seasons as a professional have been in League Two and two of those were right at the start of his career while on Southend’s books. He has played 183 matches in League One for Swindon Town, Oxford United, Blackburn and Lincoln.
HE’S BEEN PROMOTED THREE TIMES
Payne scored in Southend United’s penalty shootout win over Wycombe Wanderers in the 2015 League Two play-off final. He took the Shrimpers’ fourth spot-kick. He featured 23 times for David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town team which won the Championship play-offs in 2017 – Payne was again on penalty shootout duties, this time in the semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday, but his kick was saved. His most recent promotion was with Blackburn Rovers, who finished League One runners up in the 2017-18 campaign. Payne shone for Oxford United in the first half of that season, with his displays prompting the Lancashire club into making a move in the winter window.
WHAT PREVIOUS BOSSES HAVE SAID ABOUT HIM
Danny Cowley (after signing him at Lincoln): “He loves football and he’s really hardworking. Those three attributes – talent, hard work and love for the game – are always a ‘yes’ for me.”
David Wagner (after signing him at Huddersfield): “In my opinion he is probably one of the most interesting young British midfielders in the country and I am proud that we will have the chance to help him to develop his potential to his highest level in the future. Quality number 10s are, in my opinion, the hardest players to find and it is not regular that players of Jack’s quality become available.”
REACTION TO HIS CHARLTON MOVE
Ben Garner: “It was important to add further creativity to our squad and we have done that successfully with the addition of Jack. He has fantastic technical ability and vision, allowing him to both score and create goals. Just as importantly Jack has the work ethic, character and personality that will really strengthen our dressing room. He is a first class professional who very much fits the culture and environment we want to have.”
Jack Payne: “I have played under the gaffer before and got on really well with him. I played some of my best football under him and I am just looking to recreate that here. He spoke so highly of the club and it was a massive factor, as well as many other reasons, in me wanting to be here.”
SEE FRIDAY’S SOUTH LONDON PRESS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PAYNE
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
