Adam Matthews has rejoined Charlton Athletic after leaving the club in the summer. However, after the recent takeover was confirmed the new owners have sanctioned a deal to bring the former Celtic right back back to the club for another season.
The Wales international spent last season at Charlton and was very much became a fans’ favourite making 29 appearances for the Addicks. Manager Lee Bowyer has been looking at bringing additions in since the transfer window closed earlier this month and is delighted to have got the former Celt – a player he knows knows how to play their system.
“He’s another strong addition to the squad, obviously we know Adam inside out. He’s a good player so it definitely makes us stronger. We always try to put a squad together so you have two players competing for each position, so we have good cover, good backup and good competition for places and adding Adam has done that,” Bowyer told the Charlton website.
Charlton have won their last three games and going four games without conceding a goal. Matthews, who trained with the club this summer, explained he is pleased to be back and is looking forward to getting started. He said: “It’s very exciting, obviously it has been a bit strange this year, not just for me but for football in general and I’m very excited to be back at a place I know. I have a good relationship with the manager, with the boys and the fans seemed to like me while I was here, so it is good to eventually get it done and to get back playing.”
The 28-year-old, right-back becomes the 10th signing of the Thomas Sandgaard era and the new Charlton owner was pleased to see Matthews return at the club after watching him in pre-season against Crystal Palace. He said: “I was at our game against Crystal Palace before I took over. I was very impressed with the way Adam Matthews played that day against Premier League opposition. It has taken a bit of time but he is another great signing for us. He is a player that fits in with the style of football Lee wants to play, I am excited he will be a part of our journey.”
Matthews left Celtic for £2m in 2015 for then Premier League side Sunderland but was unable to stop the slump to the Championship and then League One. Matthews joined Celtic from Cardiff City in the summer of 2011, having agreed a pre-contract in the window prior.
Matthews spent four years in Glasgow and won four league titles, one Scottish Cup and one League Cup but with Mikael Lustig at the club, he felt he maybe needed to challenge himself with a move to England. Hopefully he will be able to rediscover the form that he showed when he was in Glasgow with his energetic runs and whipped crosses.
