Charlton have completed the signing of Andre Green on loan until the end of the season from Aston Villa.
The 21-year-old winger, who played an important role in Villa's promotion to the Premier League last season, becomes the Addicks' first signing of the January transfer window.
Green made 22 appearances for Aston Villa in that promotion campaign, establishing himself after returning from a loan spell at Portsmouth, and was involved in both the play-off semi-finals and the final victory over Derby County at Wembley. He has previously been on loan with Preston North End this season.
The signing follows news that Jonathan Leko is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury and Charlton Manager Lee Bowyer was delighted to get Green in so early in the transfer window.
Bowyer said: “We’re looking forward to working with him. He’s a young, exciting player who is quick. Last season he helped Villa get into the Premier League, so for me it is very exciting.
“You need a bit of pace in the team and Andre has that. He can play out wide but also up top, like a Karlan [Grant], or like a Leko. Leko was an out-and-out winger when he came and we used him as a second striker and he got five goals and four assists. We’ll be looking for the same sort of things from Andre. In one-v-one situations he’s very good, he can provide for others, so we’re just looking to get him on the ball in the final third.”
The Aston Villa academy graduate has netted twice against the Addicks, the first time during his loan spell with Portsmouth in Charlton’s 2-1 at Fratton Park last season and the second time for his parent club in Chris Solly’s testimonial this summer.
Head of Recruitment Steve Gallen said: “He’s a replacement for Jonathan Leko and he’s a very good replacement. We tried to sign him in the summer and we’ve had our eye on him for a while. He is a good addition to the team, he’s fast, attacking and helped Villa to promotion last season so we’re pleased.
“I’m also pleased we’ve been able to get a signing in at the start of the transfer window to support the manager given the injuries we have at the moment.”
Green, a former England youth international, is set to train with his new teammates for the first time on Friday and will not be available to feature in Thursday's clash with Swansea City. His first interview as a Charlton player will be available on Valley Pass later this week.
