DONE DEAL | Charlton sign highly-rated Arsenal youngster on loan

George Jones reports

Charlton Athletic are delighted to confirm the signing of highly-rated Arsenal youngster Stephy Mavididi on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old can operate as both a striker and a winger and, last season, was top scorer for the Gunners’ U21 side, netting 17 goals in 30 matches.

An England U19 international, Mavididi becomes the Addicks’ fifth signing of the January transfer window and Manager Karl Robinson says that he will give him a different kind of option up front.

Robinson said: “Stephy is someone that I’ve seen a few times in the U23 Premier League and he has certainly got the key components to succeed in what I call ‘real’ football. He has the power, the game intelligence and this move is one that he has to grab with both hands.

“They speak highly of him in the Arsenal youth set-up and he will give us something different to Lee Novak, Tony Watt and Josh Magennis. With Nicky going out on loan, we needed to get someone who can help us to stretch a game. Stephy is a real talent and I’m sure Charlton will be a real home for him in the short term.”

Mavididi is not the first Arsenal player to have made a temporary move to SE7 in recent years, and he cannot wait to get started in south London

He said: “I’m really excited. This is my first loan, it’s a big opportunity for me and a stepping stone in my career. It’s something I want to do and I’m looking forward to the experience.

“I was at the Millwall game a couple of weeks ago. The Valley is such a big stadium and what captured me the most was the fans and the atmosphere. It made me want to run out in front of them and play. I can’t wait to get started.”