Charlton Athletic Seal Agreement With young outstanding star with a power statement so interesting

Charlton Athletic Seal Agreement With young outstanding star with a power statement so interesting

Charlton Atheltic has sealed an agreement with youth prospect Micah Mbick as he pens his first professional deal, according to their club website.

Mbick has been with the club since the Under 10s category and is just the latest to roll off a production line that has also delivered the likes of Karlan Grant, Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez. Mbick, a 17-year-old forward, has been in sensational form for the Addicks’ U18s and U21s this season, scoring 12 times in 13 competitions.

 

His late entry into the FA Cup First Round game against Cray Wanderers brought him to the wider football world’s attention, with him scoring just three minutes into his debut as his team won 6-1. He stroked into an empty net after Sam Freeman had parried Scott Fraser’s late effort.

“Micah’s really impressed me in the short time I’ve been at the football club,” said Charlton boss Michael Appleton. “From a profile point of view, he’s very athletic, he brings physicality, and, when you look at his finishing, he can score with both feet. He’s got a maturity about him that’s beyond his years, he’s a clever boy and he’s someone we’re really excited to work with in the long term.”

Mbick, clearly delighted with having secured his first deal, described only as ‘long term’ by the club, spoke glowingly about the club’s youth set-up.

 

“It’s a great feeling because it’s something you work towards throughout your career, and you dream about it as a kid,” he said. “The club gives a lot of opportunity, I think, especially with the fans who are very supportive of young players coming through the academy. It’s a place where I feel like I can grow.”

Mbick got his second senior outing in the weekend’s FA Cup tie against Gillingham, a slightly less notable afternoon. His side were beaten 2-0, both goals coming in the first half at Preistfield. Mbick came on for 11 minutes but was unable to help his club out of elimination by the League Two side.

 

Over the years, the Charlton academy has produced a number of players who have gone on to have international success, including Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Jonjo Shelvey and Kasey Palmer.

 

“It’s a great feeling,” Academy Manager Steve Avory added on Mbick’s rise to the first team. “Our process of recruitment here is very thorough. The process of coaching and the way we manage care for players. It’s all part of the package in terms of developing the player.”

 

Another one rolls off the production line. Much like their London rival West Ham, Charlton have a great reputation for producing players, even when things are not going well on the field for the first team. The Addicks have no business in League One, but their current form suggests getting out of the division is going to be tough.

 

However, with the likes of Miles Leaburn coming out of the academy and into the first team, and now Mbick, they will always have an advantage over some of their smaller rivals. Stevenage and Lincoln may well be above Appleton’s side, but they’re unlikely to produce young players fit for the first team consistently.

 

Eventually, that is going to work in the Addicks’ favour, either by impacting their playing fortunes or adding much-needed transfer funds to their kitty.