How Lyndon Dykes reacted to Charlie Kelman leaving QPR for Charlton Athletic | OneFootball

Last season's League One top scorer has made the switch to Charlton, one year after Dykes left Loftus Road

Charlie Kelman has made his switch to Charlton Athletic following his breakout season at Leyton Orient last term, where he netted 27 times in all competitions.

The 23-year-old is ready to try his hand properly in the Championship, but with a year left on his deal at Loftus Road, QPR decided to cash in on the American, accepting a deal which could rise to £5 million if all add-ons are met.

Kelman took to Instagram to outline how excited he is to be at The Valley for the next chapter in his career. He joins the likes of Tanto Olaofe, Rob Apter and Sonny Carey to make the move to Charlton after impressing at League One level last season.

In that post, a whole host of players came to congratulate Kelman in the comments; one of whom was former Hoops forward, Lyndon Dykes.

Lyndon Dykes's message to Charlie Kelman after Charlton Athletic move

Following his move to Charlton, Kelman posted on Instagram stating that he was "so blessed and thankful to be here."

Leyton Orient stars Sonny Perkins and Brandon Cooper left comments wishing him well, but so did Dykes, who shared the pitch with Kelman during his time at QPR.

Dykes' left a simple three-word message: "Good look bro," showing his support for his former teammate.

The 29-year-old made 165 appearances during his time at Loftus Road before he made the switch to Birmingham City last summer, and, like Kelman, will be back playing in the second tier this season.

In those 165 games, the Scottish international scored 37 goals.

Charlie Kelman will be hoping to make a step forwards after leaving QPR

Kelman will certainly be hoping that his career can hit that next level following his QPR departure, unlike Dykes, who found himself behind the likes of Jay Stansfield and Alfie May in the Birmingham pecking order.

Dykes made just nine League One starts for the Blues last season, and missed the final two months of the campaign with a calf injury.

Kelman will be challenging the likes of Matty Godden and Tanto Olaofe for the main striker position in Nathan Jones' side, and if he can continue his goalscoring form from last season into 2025/26, he'll have no problems making it his own.

What he won't need to bring to his new club is his previous record in the second tier. Kelman was given bench opportunities at Loftus Road in the first half of the 2021/22 and 2023/24 campaigns, but failed to make an impact.

The American comes into his new club with plenty of promise, but also with a record of no goals and no assists in 23 Championship appearances.

At Charlton, you'd expect that Kelman would be given more time on the pitch to make an impact, but if he goes the first few games without a goal, some internal alarm bells may be ringing.

Ultimately, his first goal for Charton, and in the Championship, couldn't come soon enough.