Football League World
·4 July 2025
Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones reveals why he’s completed transfer for ex-Luton Town defender

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·4 July 2025
Addicks boss Nathan Jones opened up on why he’s brought former Luton defender Amari’i Bell.
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones has revealed that he’s brought former Luton Town defender Amari’i Bell to the Valley to aid the lack of left-sided defenders in his squad.
The Addicks are aiming to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window as they make their return to the Championship.
Nathan Jones helped guide the Addicks back to the second tier for the first time since 2020, triumphing in the play-off final over Leyton Orient at Wembley.
The London-based club will now be seeking to establish themselves as Championship regulars once again, and are sure to take inspiration from the likes of Oxford United and Portsmouth who have survived their first seasons back.
So far during the summer, Charlton have recruited four players, with Tanto Olaofe, Sonny Carey and Thomas Kaminski also linking up with the second tier side.
Charlton have now claimed another former Luton Town player on a free transfer, announcing the arrival of Amari’i Bell following the expiration of his contract at Kenilworth Road, with the 31-year-old penning a two-year contract.
Bell reunites with Jones after previously working together at Luton, and the latter has revealed why he has brought him to Charlton.
Announcing Amari’i Bell’s arrival on Charlton Athletic’s official website, Addicks boss Nathan Jones admitted he was “delighted” to pick up the 31-year-old, particularly with left-sided defenders being so challenging to recruit.
Jones said: "Amari'i's someone I know well. I signed him at Luton, and he did fantastically well for me.
"He knows how I want to play, he has Championship and Premier League experience, and he's a wonderful athlete with pace and power.
"He will add to the group, and we're really delighted because left-sided centre-halves are very difficult to come by."
It was a sour ending to Amari’i Bell’s four-year spell at Luton Town, with the 31-year-old now aiming to bounce back after recording a relegation on his CV.
Despite failing to help keep the Hatters in the second tier, Bell will add both quality and depth to Charlton’s central defence, with Macaulay Gillesphey their only other left-footed option in that department.
Competition for places will be vital to helping push the Charlton squad to their limits and achieve second tier survival next season, and Bell has previous experience as a Premier League player and has amassed 195 appearances in the Championship, with his second tier know-how a quality that can only benefit Nathan Jones’ team.
The Welshman will also be hopeful of bringing the best out of Bell once again, forming a strong relationship together from their time at the Hatters.
It’s imperative Charlton have a resolute backline on their journey to becoming Championship regulars once again, and Bell could prove to be a key part of that over the course of this upcoming term.
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