Charlton Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:The Addicks
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Chris Powell

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27,111

Shelvey pens Addicks deal

27 Feb 2009 - 11:52:39

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Charlton Athletic starlet Jonjo Shelvey has signed his first professional contract with the Championship club.

The 17-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Addicks first team this season and has already caught the eye of a number of top-flight clubs, but has opted to stay at The Valley by penning a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Addicks chairman Richard Murray told the club's official website: "Being able to sign Jonjo is a testament to the club and the spirit running through it at the moment.

"He's a great talent and as everyone would expect has attracted interest from many quarters, including clubs in the Premier League.

"He had a choice: should he sign for us or one of these alternative clubs and we go to a tribunal? But now he has committed his future to Charlton.

"Jonjo likes the way Phil Parkinson has involved him in the team and he believes he can play a part in the rest of the season and hopefully keep us in the Championship."

"We have been very careful to nurture him and not rush his development and I think that policy has been rewarded."