Departed West Ham star dealt crushing blow as Charlton Athletic sign 'fantastic' ex Premier League man

West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has had his hopes of joining Championship side Charlton Athletic crushed with the second tier outfit confirming the signing of a new shot-stopper.

Fabianski is out of contract at the London Stadium this summer and has now departed the Premier League side. The goalkeeper is 40 years old but still hoping to play at a high level, having made 14 top flight appearances last season.

A club statement in May read: “West Ham United can confirm that Aaron Cresswell, Łukasz Fabiański, Vladimír Coufal and Danny Ings will leave the Club when their contracts expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.

“The four members of our 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League-winning squad all played their part in one of the most successful periods in West Ham United’s history, and will depart having made a combined total of more than 800 first-team appearances between them.

“Fabiański, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, achieved the same feat, winning the Hammer of the Year award in 2019 after joining from Swansea City the previous summer. The Polish international goalkeeper has played 215 times so far in his seven seasons at the Club.”

Lukasz Fabianski linked with Charlton Athletic

According to a report from journalist Richard Cawley last month, Fabianski was keen to continue his life in London and agents had been working on brokering a move to a team in the capital. Charlton Athletic, known to be in the market for a shot-stopper following their promotion to the Championship, had been approached.

The Addicks were never thought to have replied with genuine interest but those rumours are now set to end with the club confirming the signing of Luton Town goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski in a real coup for the side.

The 32-year-old was one of the standout stars in an underwhelming Luton Town campaign last season. Kaminski suffered back to back relegations with the Hatters, having started every match in their Premier League campaign two years ago.

Nathan Jones pleased by Kaminski signing

Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield was outspoken with praise for the player in April following a 1-0 win over Hull City in April. He said: "I think Thomas has been fantastic. He came and took one at Cardiff which was just amazing, then the moment in the game when we needed him and the confidence he’s playing with at the moment, it gives that assurance to the boys in front of him which is really crucial to us.

“I think it’s really key and probably proper to say about Thomas’s character, the way he trains every day, backed up by Sheasy (James Shea), Tim Krul and Pilks (Kevin Pilkington, goalkeeper coach). Those three boys work incredibly hard and push Thomas and we’re really pleased with Thomas.”

It’s a statement signing by Charlton Athletic and one that ends any likelihood of a move for free agent Fabianski. The Addicks also have Will Mannion and Ashley Maynard-Brewer on their books.

Speaking about the transfer via a club statement on Tuesday, Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones said: "I’m very pleased because it’s a wonderful signing. Thomas was outstanding for Luton in the Premier League and he was outstanding last season in the Championship as well. For me, he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the division. We wanted to strengthen on all levels and improve every department, and we feel that the signing of Thomas does that."

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