'Forgotten' ex Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace striker ends 17-month hiatus with free transfer

Ex Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham has finally found a new club, 17 months after he was released from The Valley following his short stint with the Addicks.

The 32-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal with UAE side Dubai City FC. Wickham had become somewhat of a forgotten figure in football having been out of action for so long.

When joining Charlton Athletic in March 2024, the player had been without a club since leaving Cardiff City almost a year prior, following the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign. It’s been a tricky few years for Wickham, who was once a Premier League regular and England under-21 international.

Ex Charlton Athletic striker signs for Dubai City

Dubai City are managed by British boss Michael Rice, who previously coached in the Liverpool youth set-up and went on to manage Fleetwood Town. The Middle Eastern side achieving promotion from the third division last season.

Wickham has busied himself by providing some Sky Sports commentary since leaving Charlton Athletic and trained with the PFA free agents team over the summer. During his short spell at The Valley, the striker made four appearances, scoring one goal and registering one assist.

When he arrived at the club, Nathan Jones said: "Connor’s been here for a couple of weeks and we like the human being, so that’s the start. The experience, physicality and quality he has makes him a really good signing. We’re pleased to have him in and it’ll be interesting to see how much we can get out of him."

The player’s time at Charlton Athletic lasted just 56 days. He is best known for his time at Sunderland and Ipswich Town, where he made 91 and 72 appearances respectively.

Wickham’s time in the Premier League came with the Black Cats and then, after Championship loans to Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, with Crystal Palace. He has turned out 120 times in the top flight, the division he has graced the most, scoring 19 goals.

Connor Wickham wants to return to ‘top level’

Speaking to Sky Sports in September of last year, Wickham had expressed his readiness to return to football and hinted that he was open to a move abroad. He said: “I'm still only 31 really. It feels like I've been around for ages. I still want to push myself to be at a good level, at the top level. I've still got a few years left where I feel like I can still provide that.

“I'm just going to keep training, stay fit. I've had options, but I feel like I want to challenge myself. I don't want to get to the end of my career and be like, ‘I wish I did this, I wish I did that’. I'm sure sooner or later the right opportunity will come along and it will be one that will fit me and challenge me.

“At some point, I've always thought one thing I would have loved to have done is go and play abroad. It could have happened a couple of times during my career. At the time, I wasn't really that open to it. But as I've got to where I am now, where I still am, it would be nice when you see players now playing abroad, and the different cultures, the different fans, and different life experiences as well. I'm open, but I'm ready.”

In other news, ‘Not a given’: Simon Jordan issues Crystal Palace Conference League reality check.