DONE DEALS: Our local League clubs capture transfer deadline day deals

Monday 01st February 2021

CHARLTON ATHLETIC have completed the transfer deadline day loan signing of Arsenal midfielder Matt Smith.

The 20-year-old, who has been with the Gunners since under nine level, had been on loan at League One side Swindon Town since August and moves to The Valley to continue his development.

Smith was a regular in Arsenal’s under 23’s last season and frequently trained with Mikel Arteta's first-team squad.

He was rewarded with his selection in the first-team matchday squad on six occasions after the season’s restart, including being an unused sub in the FA Cup Final victory over their Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Smith becomes the fourth arrival of a busy January transfer window, following the signings of Ronnie Schwartz, Liam Millar and Jayden Stockley.

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer told the club website: “I think he suits the way we play, he’s an energetic midfielder.

“I like that he looks to play forward every time he receives the ball, he’s going to be another good addition to our squad.

“We know with players we’ve had previously from Arsenal, they are all good and comfortable on the ball and importantly he has played men’s football before so he should hit the ground running.”

Smith trained with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday and is delighted to be at The Valley for the remainder of the season.

“I’m really excited. I’m really looking forward to getting started,” said Smith.

“I feel I can learn a lot off the manager and from the experienced players here.

“It’s a new challenge for me and ultimately I want to come here and help the team get promotion and have a strong second half to the season.”

Charlton Athletic sit in seventh-place in the League One table with 40 points from their 25 league games, a place below the play-offs but level on points with sixth-placed Sunderland, who have a game in hand.

Smith has been allocated the number 18 shirt and is available for selection for tomorow night's home game against Portsmouth.

This match was postponed on Saturday because of an unplaying surface at The Valley.

Meanwhile, Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu, has left the club and has signed for League Two side Colchester United for an undisclosed transfer fee.

The 21-year-old first joined Charlton Athletic at the age of seven and has made six first-team appearances in cup competitions for the club.

The Academy graduate has been a key player for Jason Euell’s under 23 side in recent seasons and has been out on loan to National League side Bromley and Colchester United in the past.

“I’m sad to be leaving a place where I have spent more than half of my life", said the attacking midfielder.

“I understand that it is part of football, it’s time to move on.

“I really want to thank the Academy staff past and present for all of the fond memories, lessons and punishments over the years.

“Special mentions to Steve Avory, Jason Euell, Hamza Serrar, Sergei Baltacha, Bert Dawkins, Joe Francis and Adam Coe. There would be no academy without the likes of them. I've learned a lot, not just about football, but also about life."

Marcus Maddison, meanwhile, has joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.

The midfielder arrived at The Valley in September and has made five starts and four sub appearances in all competitions for the Addicks this season, scoring once.

He will now spend the rest of the 2020/21 campaign with the League Two side.

Bowyer said: "We took a gamble bringing him in, but it hasn't quite worked out as we hoped. We wish him the very best for the future."

Cardiff City's recently-installed boss Mick McCarthy has made Charlton Athletic midfielder Jonny Williams, 27, his first signing, paying an undisclosed transfer fee.

The Welsh international's contract at The Valley was due to expire this summer, so he will team up with McCarthy again, having played under him while on loan at Ipswich Town.

Millwall have announced the signing of George Evans from Derby County.

The midfielder arrives on a long-term deal for an undisclosed fee and becomes Gary Rowett's second permanent signing of the January transfer window.

Evans, 26, who can play in midfield or at centre-back, started as a trainee at Manchester City and made one appearance for The Citizens, as a late substitute in a League Cup win at Sunderland, enjoying loan spells at Crewe Alexandra, Scunthorpe United and Walsall whilst there.

In January 2016, Evans made a permanent move to Reading and spent two-and-a-half years in Berkshire, making 43 appearances in the side which reached the Championship Play-Off Final in 2016/17.

The summer window of 2018 saw The Rams swoop for Evans' signature, and the midfielder featured 42 times for the Pride Park outfit before moving to The Lions.

Evans will be unavailable for selection for Tuesday night's Championship match against Norwich City, but will be in contention for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

He will wear squad number 28.

And in a last-minute deal, Bowyer has snapped up winger Diallang Jaiyesimi from fellow League One club Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at The Valley.


Gillingham left it late, announcing a new loan signing at 22:30, half-an-hour before the transfer window slammed shut.

Steve Evans has completed a move for Bristol City midfielder, James Morton, on loan for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old, who has already made nine appearances in a short-term spell for Grimsby Town during the 2020/21 campaign, has been given squad number six and will be in contention for this Friday’s live televised game against Lincoln City at Priestfield Stadium (18:00).

“James is a very talented lad. He has signed a four-year contract at Bristol City so it demonstrates how highly thought of he is there," Evans told the club website.

“The lad has a brilliant left foot and gives us some wonderful balance in the middle of the pitch.

“Our supporters will love this lad and I am delighted he has chosen us over two clubs currently in the top six of League One.”

Meanwhile, Zach Medley has joined Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on loan until the end of the season from Arsenal.

The 20-year-old central defender spent the first-half of this season on loan to Gillingham, where he made 18 appearances for the League One side.

Medley becomes Killie's second transfer deadline day capture, having brought in striker Brandon Pierrick from Crystal Palace.