Charlton Athletic have successfully beaten fellow Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Hull City to the signing of Wales international defender Tom Lockyer, who has left Bristol Rovers upon the expiry of his contract.
We reported here on The72 earlier this month that Charlton Athletic had joined Championship pair Nottingham Forest and Hull City in the pursuit for Bristol Rovers’ out of contract defender Tom Lockyer.
And now, the Addicks have confirmed on their club website that Lockyer has officially joined the club ahead of the 2019/20 Championship season, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Lee Bowyer’s side.
Speaking to the club website upon the announcement of the deal, Lockyer expressed how excited he was to be working with Lee Bowyer, adding that he is looking forward to getting the season in underway, in what will be the first time has played for anyone other than Bristol Rovers (excluding the Welsh national team)>
“The first time I sat down with Lee it was quite surreal to be honest, I was hanging off every word he said. I left the meeting thinking ‘Wow, this is a challenge I want to be a part of’. I’ve had meetings with other managers and compared them but it wasn’t quite something like that. I’m really excited to be working with him.”
Lockyer has been a key figure at Bristol Rovers since joining in July 2012, collecting 284 appearances across seven seasons playing for the Gas (Transfermarkt). Now, he leaves the club as he looks to test himself at a higher level in order to help him push on with his Wales career. The 24-year-old has played five times for Wales so far and he is keen to add to that total.
Charlton will be hoping that Bowyer can get the best out of a hungry Lockyer, as they prepare for their return to Championship football.
