DONE DEAL | Charlton complete signing of defender Deji Oshilaja

Charlton have secured their seventh signing of the summer with versatile defender Deji Oshilaja arriving at The Valley on a two-year contract.

The Bermondsey-born 26-year-old joins the club following the expiration of his contract at AFC Wimbledon where he has spent the last two seasons, captaining the side during the 2018/19 campaign.

Addicks boss Lee Bowyer said: “I'm delighted. He's another very good player. A leader, he was captain of his club last year so it's becoming a trend. Our defenders are all leaders and winners. He's a powerful boy and he can play all across the back. He's very good in all those positions across the back, he's versatile and that's something we need.

"Lyle (Taylor) knows him well (from Wimbledon). He's been having conversations with him, telling him how good it is at our place, to try and encourage him to come because there were other clubs interested in him."

Speaking after putting pen to paper in SE7, Oshilaja said: “Charlton is a great club with a great fanbase and I'm really excited to get going. I was here (The Valley) for the play-off semi-final and the atmosphere was buzzing then so I can't wait to get started."

Meanwhile, Head of Recruitment, Steve Gallen added: “We tried to get Deji in last year, he was one of two players that we actually made bids for last summer. We tried to buy him from Wimbledon, they turned down our first, second and third offer, so he's somebody that I've been well aware of for a little while now. I watched him a lot in the last couple of years. He's strong, dependable, quick, athletic, he's got a very good attitude, he was a captain at Wimbledon and these are the things in particular that we like about him."

Beginning his career at Cardiff City, Oshilaja embarked on a number of loan spells including stints with Newport County, Sheffield Wednesday, Wimbledon and Gillingham, before returning to the Dons on a permanent basis in 2017. While at Wimbledon, he made 80 appearances, scoring three goals.

He joins Macauley Bonne, Chuks Aneke, Tom Lockyer, Ben Purrington, Ben Amos and Jonny Williams in signing permanent contracts at The Valley during the summer transfer window. 

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