Elliot Lee is ready to follow in his father’s footsteps having joined Charlton on a season-long loan from Luton Town on Thursday.
The 26-year-old, who is the son of former Addick and England international Robert, will make history when he enjoys his Addicks bow, with the duo set to become only the second father and son to represent Charlton, following Keith and Gavin Peacock.
“It’s a great day,” explained Charlton’s new number 17. “A really proud moment for me and my family obviously with the history I have at the club with my dad playing here, so I’m absolutely delighted to be here. I’m over the moon and I can’t wait to get started.
“I think ever since I found out about the interest yesterday everything has moved pretty quick. We’ve tried to be tight-lipped and not get everyone excited because my nan and my grandad will get excited! Like I said it’s a really proud moment and it’s nice to sign the dotted line and now we can tell everyone. We’ll be the second ever to do it. It’s a great moment for me, for my dad and for the whole family.”
The Hatters loanee has a trio of familiar faces at the club’s Sparrows Lane training ground in Alex Gilbey, Ryan Inniss and George Dobson, while sharing the encouraging exchanges he has enjoyed with manager Nigel Adkins.
“We know the club as a family but I know a few of the boys here,” he revealed. “I’ve known Gilbs [Alex Gilbey] for a long time now, I’m very close to him and Ryan Inniss as well. I actually went to the same school as George Dobson. It’s a tight-knit bunch and it really does help when there’s a few familiar faces around. I’m sure I’ll settle in really quickly.
“We’ve had brief chats, me and the manager. All were really positive. I just want to come here and I want to help the team and help the club get back to where it belongs. The gaffer has said it’s a small but a strong squad and I think that’s brilliant - you get a tight-knit squad who all work together and fight together on the pitch. Anything can happen and I think we've got some real quality players here. If we can all gel as a team it’s going to be a really successful season.”
Watch Elliot Lee's first interview as a Charlton player on CharltonTV
The versatile attacking midfielder, who can also operate anywhere across the front three, afforded Charlton supporters an insight into Lee the player, before looking ahead to this weekend’s Sky Bet League One encounter against Crewe Alexandra in SE7.
“I’m an attack-minded player,” he said. “I like to get on the ball, I like to create things and score goals, I like to link up the play between midfield and attack. I just like to be involved in the play and like I said, get assists, score goals and just help the team in any way I can really.
“I’ve been in this afternoon doing a bit with the fitness guy and I’ll be training with the boys tomorrow,” revealed Lee, speaking after putting pen-to-paper on Thursday afternoon. “I’m fit, I’m raring to go and I can’t wait to walk out at The Valley and see all of the fans on Saturday.
“I’ve played at The Valley a few times as the away opposition and the family have come to support me, but not so much Charlton! It’s great that they can come and I’ve always wanted to play as a Charlton player at The Valley just like my dad did! Now the family can all come and watch me and support Charlton, and we’re all really looking forward to that. I can’t wait to pull on the shirt and walk out in front of the fans. It’s going to be an amazing feeling.”
Lee is available to make his debut against the Railwaymen on Saturday - click here to get your ticket now!