It may have taken longer than anticipated but Tomer Hemed is an Addick.
The Israel international striker joined the club on Monday from Brighton & Hove Albion to become Lee Bowyer's 14th signing of the summer.
Speaking shortly after agreeing to move to Charlton he said: “I am very happy to be here, I am excited to be here and start the season with the team. I’ve already missed a few games so I can’t wait for the next one and to be involved and be a part of the rest of the season.
“They’ve brought me here to score goals first of all, so obviously I will do my best every game to help the team. If it’s to score goals or give assists… in any way, just to help the team to get the points and achieve the targets for this season.”
Aside from eyeing up his potential exploits in front of goal this season, the former Brighton man hopes that his time in the game can help him to pass on advice and knowledge to some of Charlton’s younger players.
“I need to bring my experience; I think that is the first thing that the club wants from me on the pitch in that division. I think for a lot of the younger lads here I can always give advice and show them the right way to do things.”
Hemed joins the Addicks along with fellow Brighton and Israeli International teammate Beram Kayal and the 32-year-old was pleased that he is continuing his career with his old friend.
“It’s amazing for us, it’s something that we didn’t know would happen from the start, then we started to hear about it and we started to think about going together from Brighton to here.
“In Brighton they know the story about us. As kids, we played together in Israel with Maccabi Haifa’s youth team. So, for us it’s amazing to be here together and keep going together and I’m sure that both of us will do our best for the team.”
After some difficulty in getting the deal finalised, Hemed is understandably chomping at the bit to get started in his new surroundings in SE7.
“I was here once before I think [with Brighton], it was a really good experience.
“I like the stadium and I heard good things about the fans here, and you know we play first of all for them I will do everything to make them happy this season. Whatever happens, they will see players give everything on the pitch.”
