Welsh international defender, Tom Lockyer, joined the Addicks last Friday on a two-year deal after his contract at Bristol Rovers expired, becoming the third summer signing for Lee Bowyer.
This is the first time in his career the 24-year-old has moved clubs, bringing an end to his time at Rovers who he had been with from the age of 16.
Lockyer, who trained with his new teammates for the first time on Friday, enjoyed his first day with the club and is looking ahead to what could be an exciting time with the club. “Yeah, it was tough but it was good. I didn’t quite know what to expect, if I was going back to Rovers I’d know what to expect but I’ve never been in this situation before, moving clubs, so yeah it was a good one and hopefully more of the same tomorrow.”
“First and foremost, I’m a team player, I give it my all, on the pitch, on the training ground, off the pitch. I’m coming here, try to give it me all, and yeah I’m just looking forward to try and have a strong season and help the team as much as I can”.
Lockyer came up against Charlton a couple times last season in League One, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the first game but helped his side to a draw and a clean sheet in the reverse fixture.
The young Welsh defender spoke about how Bowyer was crucial in his move to The Valley and admits he was a key reason to joining Charlton.
“Well, the first time I sat down with Lee, it was quite surreal to be honest, I was hanging off every word he said and I left the meeting thinking ‘Wow, this is a challenge I want to be part of!’ I had meetings with other managers and compared them but it wasn’t quite like that, so I’m really excited to be working with him. I want to improve and he’s told me he can improve me, I want to kick on and I want to be a regular Championship player, and I felt in my decision that was the best chance to happen here.”
Lockyer has travelled with the rest of the squad to Spain as we kick off a preseason against Gaz Metan this Thursday. When asked about the chance to bond with his new teammates during the tour, Lockyer said “I think team spirits massive, it was spoken about with the promotion from Charlton last season. Obviously, you lose a few out the group as always happens every summer but as long as you keep the core, I think it’s good that they welcome people in and you can build on that and go again.”
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Article by Jhangir Ali