Charlton Athletic are delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Gavin Kilkenny.
The 22-year-old arrives on loan from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Capped by Republic of Ireland at U15, U16, U17, U19 and U21 level, Kilkenny spent the first half of the season in the Championship with Stoke City.
“I’m delighted to be joining Charlton,” said Kilkenny. “It’s obviously a huge club and it’s a really great opportunity for me. I really enjoyed working with Dean Holden at Stoke, albeit briefly, and I want to repay the faith he has shown in me by bringing me here. Hopefully we can start pushing up the table to get this club back where it belongs.”
Dean Holden was pleased to reunite with Kilkenny. The Manager said: “Gavin is a player I know well, having worked with him at Stoke. We are very fortunate we could get him, especially given the number of games he played in Bournemouth’s promotion campaign to the Premier League last season. He has got bags of energy, very good technical ability and a top class attitude.”
The midfielder’s arrival follows the signings of Macauley Bonne, Todd Kane and Matt Penney. Owner and CEO Thomas Sandgaard added: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to complete the loan signing of Gavin Kilkenny. He’s a talented, young midfielder, who Dean knows well. He will bring further quality and control to our midfield, so I look forward to watching him play.”
Born and raised in Dublin, Kilkenny began his career in his native Ireland with St Kevin’s Boys, whose graduates include former Premier League stars Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.
He joined AFC Bournemouth as a 16-year-old in the summer of 2016 and penned his first professional contract with the club in April 2018.
Kilkenny earned his senior Cherries debut in August 2019 in an EFL Cup tie against Forest Green Rovers and his league debut came in a 4-0 triumph at Barnsley in December 2020.
The midfielder established himself in Bournemouth’s first team squad in the 2021/22 season and helped the Cherries earn promotion to the Premier League.
Kilkenny extended his contract at the Vitality Stadium last summer before embarking on his first loan spell with Stoke City.
The transfer is subject to EFL approval.
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