Charlton have completed the signing of academy goalkeeper Lennon MacLorg from Rochdale AFC.
MacLorg, who played seven games for the Addicks’ U18s at the end of last season, has now formally completed his move to the club.
The 18-year-old impressed with three clean sheets in his first four games for Jason Pearce’s side, and in joining Charlton signs his first professional deal.
“I’m over the moon,” he said. “When I heard that Charlton were interested, I knew it was a massive step for me. It’s a massive club and I just can’t wait to get going.”
The U18s won the Professional Development League Two - South title for the fourth year in a row last season, before being narrowly beaten in the play-off final by Birmingham City.
“Last season’s team was amazing, I really enjoyed playing with them. I’m gutted we couldn’t get it over the line in the final but once you’re on the coach back you look at it and you think how well they’ve done. Obviously I came in at the back end of the season, but I’m so proud.”
“I want to thank Jack Hadley - he’s a brilliant person as well as a brilliant goalkeeping coach.
“I also want to thank Kevin James and Jason Pearce for letting me come in and play for that team straight away, given how successful they’d been over the season. I just can’t thank them enough for giving me that opportunity.”
Having played as an outfielder until he was 15, one of MacLorg’s greatest strengths is his ability with his feet.
“I’m quite a modern goalkeeper,” he said. “I like to be around my centre-halves as a third centre-back, helping them out and always supporting them, so if ever they want to come back they know they’ve got someone who they can trust with the ball.”
Head of Academy Goalkeeping Jack Hadley added: “We’re delighted to have him as part of our U21s programme. Lennon came to our attention midway through last season, knowing Kris Dixon, his goalkeeping coach up at Rochdale.
“We made the decision that he was an exciting prospect and should be a part of our academy team for this season.
“His distribution is second to none - really high quality. As an athlete, how he moves around the goal, he’s powerful, athletic, agile. He’s got all the strengths to be a top, top goalkeeper.
“I know the family through his younger brother Jackson, who has signed as one of our U9s and is starting his journey. For Lennon to be at the back end of the academy now is brilliant and I’m really excited to see how he develops as a goalkeeper. Hopefully in a few years to come he’ll be able to break into our first-team.”
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.
