Nathan Jones has bolstered his attacking options with the signing of experienced striker Connor Wickham.
The 30-year-old, who stands at 6ft 4in, joins on a short-term deal until the end of April 2024 having been training with Jones’ squad for the last two weeks.
A former England youth international, Wickham arrives at Charlton with almost 300 senior appearances to his name, 120 of which have come in the Premier League and a further 113 in the Championship.
Manager Nathan Jones commented: "Connor’s been here for a couple of weeks and we like the human being, so that’s the start. The experience, physicality and quality he has makes him a really good signing. We’re pleased to have him in and it’ll be interesting to see how much we can get out of him."
“I’m excited to be here,” added Wickham, who will wear the Addicks’ number 13 shirt. “It’s a good opportunity for me to work with a good group of lads and a good manager for the last part of the season, so it’s something I’m looking forward to. Results lately have picked up and it’s going to be a big push until the end of the season.”
Born in Hereford, Wickham began his professional career at Ipswich Town and became the club’s youngest ever player in April 2011, making his senior debut in the Tractor Boys’ Championship clash against Doncaster Rovers aged just 16 years and 11 days. He was subsequently named 2008/09 Academy Player of the Year.
The teenager scored 15 goals during the following two seasons, culminating with him being crowned Young Player of the Year and Championship Apprentice of the Year at the 2011 Football League Awards.
While at Portman Road, Wickham represented England at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level and collected UEFA’s Golden Player award at the 2010 European U17 Championship after scoring the winning goal in the showpiece final against Spain.
Wickham’s form at club and youth international level earned him a move to then-Premier League side Sunderland in the summer of 2011.
The forward would go on to enjoy four years on Wearside, featuring 91 times and notably scoring five goals in three games to help the Black Cats avoid relegation in 2013/14, which also saw him receive the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for April.
Wickham, who also took in Championship loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United during his time at the Stadium of Light, was named as Sunderland Supporters’ Young Player of the Year for the 2014/15 campaign.
He joined fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in August 2015 and spent six years at Selhurst Park, which also included a third loan stint with Sheffield Wednesday. In 2016, the striker headed home the goal that sent the Eagles into their first FA Cup final in over 25 years.
Since leaving Palace in the summer of 2021, Wickham has enjoyed spells with Preston North End, MK Dons, Forest Green Rovers and most recently Cardiff City.
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