great news IMO. From the OS
Rob Elliot has signed a new contract that will keep him with the club until 2012, the Addicks announced on Friday.
The Charlton number one becomes the second talented youngster to commit himself to the club by signing an extended contract just a fortnight after Jonjo Shelvey.
And manager Phil Parkinson paid tribute to the goalkeeper's work ethic, on and off the pitch.
"Obviously, we want to keep our best young players, and with Robbie in the last year of his contract we were keen to agree a new deal with him, so we're delighted with his new contract,” said Phil.
"It's another step on the ladder for Robbie as a goalkeeper, in terms of where he wants to go with his career, and he wants to be part of the club progressing forward. We've got a lot of work ahead of us - and so has Robbie - to get where we want to be, but we are making progress and this new contract is a positive sign of that.”
Elliot has been ever-present in 2009/10 and has kept four clean sheets in the opening seven league games to help the Addicks storm to the summit of League One.
He has played a key role in the club's best ever start to a season, and has now amassed 35 games for the club since making his debut in April 2007.
"Robbie has played very well this season, so he deserves a new contract, but there has been a lot of work all over the summer and last season with him as well,” added Parkinson. "Our goalkeeping coach, Andy Woodman, and the sports science team have worked hard with him, but that desire has to come from within, and you have to want to put in the work on the training pitch and in the gym.
"Contracts in football shouldn't be given out easily; they should be a reward for people who have earned them, and Robbie is certainly in that category. Now he's got to focus again and make sure he plays his part in taking the club back to where it should be.”
Elliot, who was given the number one jersey at the start of the season, was born in Greenwich and is a boyhood Charlton fan.
The goalkeeper is also one of 11 Addicks players who have come from the youth ranks to make their first-team debut for the club since May 2007.
And the latest news, coming less than two weeks after Shelvey put pen to paper on a new deal, delighted football club board chairman Richard Murray.
"This is more good news for the club, and again demonstrates the importance of our academy, which is continuing to reap rewards,” he said. "It gives everyone great pleasure to see a homegrown player in the first team and playing well, and I know the fans really identify with Robbie.
"We're really pleased he has committed himself to the club he loves, and let's hope the team can continue the recent good form and make it a successful season.”
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Comments
Bromley's Number 1"
More good news. Could be the player to break Bartram's appearance record.
I certainly think he's already a better goalkeeper than Weaver ever was for us.
Am well pleased he has got a new deal as he is one of best in league 1 and probably good enough for most championship sides, also at 22/23 he can only get better.
Possible Ireland keeper in future?
You can see that he really wants to play for us and we need players like that.
shows an enthusiasm for the game which is great to see and long may it continue
You'll want a stand named after him next
That's a good idea. Which one?
Without doubt.
"Zee boy in or-range. Sign him"
South
it's small margins really
his distribution is top notch from hands and feet and as long as he continues to progress I think it likely hell be our keeper for many years to come as I can't see his head being turned by another club!
Congratulations on your new deal Rob - long may it continue
Odd, I'd never have thought you'd pick that one.
He's improving with every game and will only get better.
Think he's already at the decent keeper stage. If he keeps up the shot stopping (there have been two or three blinding saves this season) and distribution and then adds a really solid ability to deal with crosses he'll be a very good keeper.
As others have said though, at least he's coming and trying to command his area. I always think better a bad decision, with goalies, than no decision at all. If the back 4 know he's coming they can position themselves accordingly. Likewise if they know he's not coming (as with Deano). The worst situation is someone like Weaver used to be who comes for some, stays for others but had virtually zero judgement about which ones to do which to. It just creates confusion throughout the whole defence.
Considering the mess that was around him last year and for him to put in hard work and have the desire to be No.1 he deserves the reward of the contract.
He is a great example to everyone else in the club. I hope players like Basey, as an example, take note.
Well done Rob.
He's done so well when you realise Randolph was ahead of him.
Anyone know what's going on with him playing for Ireland? He played a few games at youth level, but that was years ago. Randolph more recently was in the Ireland full squad when they played San Marino.
Explained on the OS-