Charlton Athletic sign 'wonderful' ex West Ham and Portsmouth defender

Charlton Athletic have confirmed the signing of free agent Dan Potts on a short-term deal as Nathan Jones looks to further strengthen his Addicks squad.

The former West Ham and Portsmouth man has been in the market for a new club this summer following his release from Luton Town. The 30-year-old spent nine years at Kenilworth Road, making 216 appearances, and is already well known to Jones thanks to their time at the Hatters together.

Potts didn't feature for Luton Town in the Premier League campaign last season but did play a role in their Championship promotion of 2022/23. The defender featured 25 times in that season.

The player is a product of the West Ham academy and made his first team debut with the Hammers in 2011. Potts was awarded the Young Hammer of the Year Award in 2012 and tasted Premier League action two times with the club.

Potts spent short loan spells with Colchester United and Portsmouth during his time at West Ham before making the move to Luton Town in 2015. He finished as League Two runner-up, League One champion and tasted Championship play-off victory with Luton Town.

Charlton Athletic confirmed the short-term deal on Friday and Jones, who had already heralded the star's 'wonderful' footballing journey this week, said: “Dan is someone that has played for me before, has been promoted and knows what it takes every day to be at it to create this winning culture and winning environment.

“What we’ve done is try to create the environment and the collective to make us as strong as possible. To do that we need competition in every position and we need people that are going to drive the environment, people that know what it takes to win at all costs. Pottsy knows that and I’m delighted to have him.

“We know that he’ll add real value - one to the environment and two to the culture and also the squad. Then when he plays he’ll add real competition and something different to what we’ve got.”