Squad update following completion of the 2020/21 season

Thomas Sandgaard has revealed he is looking forward to his first full summer in charge at the club.

The club’s owner explained, in an interview with Charlton TV that will air in full on Tuesday evening's end-of-season show, that discussions around the squad for next season are ongoing.  

He said: “We have to get into deciding what players we keep and what players we get in. We’re already deep into those discussions. It is obviously exciting and also very decisive on how we are going to play and how well we’ll do next season.”

The Addicks finished the season in fine form, losing just one of their final 15 games, missing out on a play-off position on goal difference.

Charlton Manager Nigel Adkins said: “Our job is about building a squad that puts us in the best position for the 2021/22 season.

“We finished the season well and have a core of good, hungry players, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we can progress over the next few weeks."

Sandgaard, who is targeting promotion, added: “We have a number of players that are out of contract, a few of those we’ll try to see if we can negotiate for them to stay at the club. There were a couple of the loan players that we are also interested in to see if they can become permanent signings. Other than that, we are wide open on what we are looking at, whether it is loan players from Premier League clubs or positive permanent signings. We also have some great talent in the academy and we’ll continue to develop that and give those players a chance too.”

Deji Oshilaja, Darren Pratley and Andrew Shinnie, whose contracts are set to expire, will not be offered a new contract.

Adkins said: “I would like to thank Deji, Darren and Andrew for everything they have done during their time at the club. The three of them are excellent professionals with great attitudes, we wish them the best for the future.”

Darren Pratley appeared in 111 games for the club, playing an important role in the Addicks promotion to the Championship in 2018/19, including a vital goal against Doncaster Rovers in the play-off semi-final.

Deji Oshilaja played 47 games for Charlton during two seasons at the club while Andrew Shinnie played 29 games after joining Charlton from Luton Town, initially on loan, at the start of this season.

The club can confirm that contract discussions with Ben Amos, Chuks Aneke, Jake Forster-Caskey, Adam Matthews, Jason Pearce and Ben Watson are ongoing ahead of the expiration of their contracts this month.

Akin Famewo, Ian Maatsen, Matt Smith, Liam Millar and Jayden Stockley have returned to their parent clubs following the completion of their loans. 

Adkins added: “We’d like to thank Akin, Ian, Matt, Liam and Jayden for their contributions this season. They have all impressed with their work rate and commitment to our cause during their time here and have played an important part in what we have been able to achieve this season.”

Marcus Maddison and Erhun Oztumer, who have both been away from the club on loan, will not be offered new contracts, the club would like to wish them the best for the future.

Sandgaard's full Charlton TV interview will air on Tuesday evening's free end-of-season show. Click here for more information.

Academy Update

Charlton have taken up the option of an extra year on the contracts of U23s Wassim Aouachria, Billy French, Hady Ghandour and Lucas Ness.

The club have offered new contracts to Charles Clayden, Ben Dempsey, Nathan Harness, Nathan Harvey, Jay Mingi, Johl Powell and James Vennings.

Second-year scholars Terrell Agyemang, Jimmy Appiah, Nazir Bakrin, Mason Burstow, Dylan Gavin, Jeremy Santos have all been offered pro contracts.

U18s captain Richard Chin, who has been on an extended schoolboy registration, has been offered a pro contract. 

The club can confirm the following U23s players have left the club following the expiration of their contracts with Charlton: Richard Afrane-Kesey, Kasim Aidoo, Eddie Allsopp, Freddy Barton, Junior Quitirna, Harry Taylor and Luca Vega.

Charlton Athletic would like to thank all those players who have departed and wish them all the very best in their future careers.

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