Highly-rated academy prospect Emmanuel Sol-Loza has signed his first professional contract with the club.
The 17-year-old forward, who joined the Addicks' esteemed academy at U12 level, is currently in his first season as a full-time scholar with the U18s and has also featured for Chris Lock's U21s this term.
"There's been a lot of highs and lows in terms of my journey here, so I'm very delighted to have signed my first professional contract," he said. "To have found out the day after my birthday as well was great!
"I’m so thankful to everyone - all of the coaches that have helped me in my development, and my family and those who have supported me throughout my journey."
Academy Manager Tom Pell added: "It's fantastic news for Emmanuel, his family and for us as a football club. We want to ensure we reward the players that we feel deserve it, not only for really good performances and showing high potential but for those that have the right attitude and work ethic, which Emmanuel does.
"Emmanuel's an exciting player that likes to run in behind as a number nine. He has good pace and power, and a really good mentality as well. He thoroughly deserves this professional contract and we're all looking forward to watching him continue his development with us."
Technical Director Andy Scott commented: "We’re really pleased Emmanuel has signed a professional contract with the club. He’s a very exciting young player and an impressive young man who we believe can develop into a player that can make an impact on the men’s first-team squad over the next few seasons.
"He becomes the latest academy player to commit his future to Charlton, as we look to build a core group of players that can grow, develop and progress as the club does."
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club’s academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.
Comments
Seen him come off the bench for the u21s on some of the streamed games. I thought he showed signs of pace and skill when we attacked, and energy and aggression when pressing the opposition. Looking forward to seeing how he progresses at that level.
I also couldn’t work out whether he was right or left footed (I need to know this sort of thing for FM25 🤓). Partly the short length of time he was on and seemingly being comfortable using either foot.
You can watch his hat trick for the u16s in May here:
https://www.charltonafc.com/video/player/0_8ofglb0w
A very young player indeed.
Well done Emmanuel.
Ideally we’ll get any young player breaking through on a second and long term pro deal before they’re fully established in the first team to avoid another Grant/Aribo situation.
This lad sounds like a very good prospect.
Follows Leaburn, Kanu, Casey and M'Bick of recent years as prolific youth team strikers committing to the club. Hopefully they keep progressing with us over the next few years.
When will he get a chance in the first team?
Come on, we're desperate for goals, get him in.
At last! He's playing.
He's rubbish!
Oh, not him again? Haven't we got anyone any better? Why can't we produce a striker?
Great goal.
Great goal.
What a hat-trick.
Absolutely typical. I cannot believe he's been crocked in a pre-season game against that lot.
When's he going to be fit?
When's he going to be fit?
When's he going to be fit?
I hope we don't bring him back too soon.
At last, he's back in the team.
Sixty minutes? Is that all he can last? He's rubbish.
Why isn't he in the team?
How long is he going to be out for?
I've forgotten about him. I hope he remembers where the goal is.
Great goal.
Great goal.
Great goal.
They will be offers for him soon. I am sure he'll stay though.
I knew he'd go. But why there?
Congratulations on your first cap.
Congratulations on your first goal.
Congratulations on your first World Cup.
Do we get a sell-on?
And so on, ad infinitum.