Karlan Grant signs 2-year contract
Well that was quick. I suspect Nathan Jones knew the deal was done yesterday as he is rarely that transparent about transfer targets.
Today, the club announced the signing of Karlan Grant on a 2-year contract, after he left West Brom last month.
The 28-year old becomes the Addicks’ third summer signing, with an expected four more to come.
I can look at both sides of the coin in this signing. I usually try too, and no signing is ever a trump card or equally a joker if I use the playing card analogy.
Grant was on fire when he left us, was at club from 12 and came through our academy, yet a lot of us will remember when he gave Addicks’ fans the finger up at Huddersfield in early 2020 just before Covid.
He has nowhere near the caustic reputation of his ex-striking partner Lyle Taylor, but this is something Grant needs to bury with some sterling early performances.
Grant is not a prolific goalscorer at least he hasn’t been for about 6 seasons, but at The Hawthorns he was usually played as a second striker, a 10 or a wide man.
I reckon Jones will utilize him wide, he was quick, but did have hamstring surgery early this year.
A two-year deal seems realistic, he is a good age and has bags of top-level Championship experience. He has also made 34 Premier League appearances.
He is better than what we have, and will bring pace to the squad that Jones wants to evolve in playing style, and ranking.
Grant was also free, although the Baggies did offer him a new contract so he has to be on upper levels of high teens per week wages, but that means Jones keeps his transfer fee budget for midfielders. The signings in those positions are critical.
Welcome back, Karlan.
I remember seeing him for the last time at Peterborough in 2019 amongst a large Charlton following. I was sad and angry as he missed a penalty in a 0-0 draw and seemed likely to leave us for Huddersfield.The support was fantastic that day, despite the result.
I hope that he works out to be a good signing for us but I do have my doubts. Fingers crossed.
Worth a punt. As you said, better than what we have. Good age and tons of experience at this level. The upside is that this is our first proven Championship signing versus only being able to attract top League One talent last year so it shows the slow but (hopefully) sure evolution of the club into a re-established second tier club.
Good point, Gareth.
Never go back (Unless you are Eddie Firmani). Hope I’m wrong.
Or D Hales.
That is a step up on Lyndon Dykes, a positive move. He will give us some pace and has good experience at this level. Never really pushed on and definitely not prolific but feels like a solid signing and an improvement on prior mentioned.
I presume Olafe will move on now , he does not lack effort but much like Apter, never really given a chance with a run in the team. That said, he never filled me with confidence and think he is a good league one player.
I would take Grant every single day and twice on a Sunday over Dykes. More signings to come, and hope we have one marquee within that. We could take a loan, and whilst I don’t like deals with the devil, Will Lankshear would be a very good option and then we would be strong up top with a good spread of youth and experience (Kelman, Leaburn, Lankshear, Grant, Godden). COYA.