Why Charlton Athletic have signed Charlie Kelman from QPR - Nathan Jones has revealed it | OneFootball

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has given his thoughts following the signing of forward Charlie Kelman from QPR

Charlton Athletic have announced the signing of forward Charlie Kelman from QPR, with the 23-year-old becoming the Addicks' eighth signing of the summer.

Kelman joins after a sensational season out on loan at Leyton Orient, where he scored 27 goals in all competitions and claimed the League One Golden Boot.

West London Sport reports that the deal is valued at around £3 million, with new R's head coach Julien Stephan opting not to give the forward a chance at Loftus Road this season.

As Charlton look to consolidate in the second tier following their promotion via the League One play-offs, manager Nathan Jones expressed his delight at the signing.

Nathan Jones speaks on Charlie Kelman's move

Speaking to club media, Jones lauded Kelman's goalscoring prowess and explained how the signing was one which the club "went after really hard", paying thanks to the hierarchy for helping to get a deal done.

The popular boss said: "I'm really delighted we've been able to sign Charlie. He's a player we earmarked a long time ago as someone we really wanted to sign."

"With our promotion, it was something we went after really hard. I want to thank the board and the owners for the support we've had in getting this over the line," he added.

"He's a goalscorer - which he provided last year," said Jones, looking to shine a light on Kelman's impressive record. "He's scored 27 goals, played lots of games, and he's a great age. He's everything we want at Charlton and adds to an already really strong strikeforce that we have."

Jones has already been busy this summer as he prepares to guide the Addicks to safety in the Championship return, and is now set to pull off a huge coup by landing one of the most sought-after forwards in the EFL.

Kelman's signing is a huge coup for Charlton

Charlton came on leaps and bounds in the second half of last season's League One campaign, making a charge for the play-offs and going on to seal a return to the second tier of English football with victory at Wembley, after Jones worked his magic once again.

The Championship is a different kettle of fish, though, and even the Welshman hinted in the post-game press conference at Wembley that the Addicks would need to add quality reinforcements before the season kicks off on August 9th.

So far, the London club have made plenty of excellent additions, such as Tanto Olaofe, Rob Apter, and Joe Rankin-Costello, but their latest addition in Kelman will likely be the statement of the summer for the former Luton boss.

Winning the race for the 23-year-old is not only a huge coup currently for Charlton now, but in a few years, if he continues his goalscoring form, they could receive a tasty profit if a club at a higher level comes knocking.

Whilst Kelman has never proven himself at Championship level, the form he displayed in League One last season could be the confidence boost he needs to finally kick on in the second tier.