Charlton Athletic have completed their first signing of the summer after confirming the arrival of goalkeeper Harry Isted, according to the club’s official website.
The 26-year-old heads to The Valley on a two-year deal after leaving Premier League-bound Luton Town, where he made just three appearances in six years. However, his loan spell at Barnsley during the second half of last season was hugely successful and he was a mainstay of the Yorkshire side which came within a whisker of promotion to the Championship after a heart-breaking last-gasp defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in the League One play-off final last month.
Charlton will be looking to improve on last season’s 10th placed finish as they look to launch an assault on the promotion places in League One next season. Isted’s signing shows that they are looking to build from the back after leaking 66 goals last season, the highest in the top half of the table.
Who is Harry Isted?
The shot stopper joined Luton in 2017 after he was released by Stoke City after just one season. Various loan spells followed across non-league with Chesham Town, Oxford City and Wealdstone before he received his first taste of regular EFL football with Barnsley last season after joining on a temporary deal in January.
He earned several plaudits for his performances at Oakwell, and it was reported by BBC journalist Rob Staton earlier this month that the Yorkshire side were keen on bringing him back on a permanent basis following his release from Luton. With nine clean sheets in 22 appearances for the Tykes, interest was always going to be high, and Charlton confirmed they had won the race for his signature earlier this morning.
What has been said?
With their first signing of the summer now through the door, Charlton manager Dean Holden was understandably delighted with landing such a highly sought-after goalkeeper, saying;
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to bring Harry in. He’s an excellent all-round goalkeeper. He was very impressive at Barnsley last season, culminating in that eye-catching performance in the play-off final at Wembley.
“Successful sides are built in competition for places and players driving each other to improve. With him and Ash (Maynard-Brewer) we have two very talented goalkeepers and I’m looking forward to working with them both.”
Writer’s View
This is a great signing for Charlton Athletic, who will be quietly building for a promotion push behind the scenes next season.
Isted is an excellent goalkeeper and it is no coincidence that Barnsley’s superb run of form during the second half of the campaign followed his debut in February.
Despite making just three appearances for Luton, he was highly rated by supporters, which goes to show what he will offer the Addicks next season. Charlton are one of the sleeping giants of League One and they will be delighted to have beaten some of their rivals to Isted’s signature.
