Jensen: 'The club meant a lot to me and still does'

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Fan favourite Claus Jensen recently made a triumphant return to The Valley to watch the Addicks' 4-0 victory over promotion rivals Huddersfield Town.

Jensen, who made 133 appearances for Charlton after joining from Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2000, then visited Sparrows Lane the following day with teammates Jonatan Johansson and Martin Pringle.

Reflecting on his return to the capital, the Dane said: "I had a fantastic day at The Valley and it’s been great being out and seeing the training ground. It's just fantastic to be a part of. 

"It’s so nice to be back out amongst the fans, who still appreciate us from when we were players. In England you're very good at that.

"[Saturday] was an emotional day for all of us at the ground. In the four years of my career that I spent here, I was growing up and becoming a grown man is intense when you play football at this level - those four years kind of flew by. The club meant a lot to me and it still does.

"It’s been a great trip down memory lane, and many stories come back when you’re driving and walking around the place - it’s really great!

"When you move clubs it's always different to where you’ve been before, but it was a very easy decision for me to come to Charlton, because of the players and the culture. The players had been here a long time, and the manager and staff had Charlton in their hearts, so the culture is really strong.

"It makes it easy then as a player to say, 'okay, this is how we do things at Charlton'. The culture here at the club is really strong, and I felt it as well. The club is bouncing and there’s lots of positivity at the moment."

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Jensen chipped in with 16 Premier League goals to keep the Addicks dining at the top table of football during his four-year spell at the club.

"I feel privileged to have scored my best goal in the 4-1 game at Highbury [against Arsenal], a little chip! But it was always nice to score for Charlton. I loved scoring goals!

"The late goal against Blackburn at The Valley was a great day. I loved scoring goals because I saw it as part of my job here. I think all players love to see the ball in the back of the net!

"That (Blackburn game) was a really important win for us. Goals that come at the end that decide games were probably the best ones!"

The now 47-year-old says the optimism is palpable at The Valley after watching the Addicks' ruthless display against Huddersfield.

"I follow it closely, and I think everyone was excited about [Saturday]," he explained. "There's lots of confidence in the team and lots of exciting finishing. It was a great atmosphere at The Valley as well, and a really good day!"

Former players can register for the club's Ex-Players' Association by using this form.

Charlton return to The Valley on Good Friday to host Northampton Town. Don't miss out - click here to purchase your tickets now!

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(Transcription by Joe Robinson and Luca Morton)

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