Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce that academy graduate Aaron Henry has signed a new contract with the club.
The 19-year-old midfielder has penned a two-year deal with an option for the third year.
Henry joined the Addicks at the age of nine, and has played 28 times for the men’s first team since making his debut as a 16-year-old in the FA Cup against West Bromwich Albion in January 2020.
Henry, who has represented England at youth levels, made 14 appearances in Sky Bet League One this season and made his full league debut against Oxford United in December.
After signing the new deal, he said: “I’m really, really happy to get it done, I can’t wait to kick on next season.
“The manager has been brilliant for me since he came in. It looked like I might go out on loan and he came in and watched me in an U21s game and said that I wasn’t going anywhere – the next game I was on the bench for the first team and the game after I made my full league debut. He showed trust in me straight away and the conversations I have had with him have been really, really positive.
“I feel like I’ve got so much more to come and I can hopefully really rise to the occasion this coming season.”
Manager Dean Holden said: “I’ve been really impressed with what I have seen from Aaron since I arrived at the club. I will always give young players an opportunity if they are good enough and Aaron is another excellent player to come through our academy.
“The first thing that catches the eye is his technical ability, ball-striking and range of passing and those are clearly strengths. Like with any young player there are elements of his game that we are working with him to develop. He’s a tremendous young talent with a good work ethic and temperament, which will only help his progress as he looks to become a first-team regular.
“Aaron has a really exciting future in the game, so I’m really pleased that he’s committed to the club and look forward to being a part of the next phase of his career.”
CEO Peter Storrie added: “The club has an exceptional academy and it is important that we do our best to keep and develop our most talented young players. Aaron has been at Charlton a very long time and there are a lot of staff, players and supporters who have contributed to his development so far. It is great they’ll all be able to watch him continue to progress at the club.”
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Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club’s academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.
