NATHAN Jones said Zach Mitchell has been “very close to starting league games” after the defender signed a new long-term contract with Charlton Athletic.
Defender Mitchell, 19, has signed until the summer of 2027 with the option of another twelve months on the club’s side.
Mitchell – who joined the Addicks at under-7 level – has made thirteen senior appearances, including one league start, in a 1-0 defeat against Cheltenham Town in December 2022.
Mitchell – whose older brother Billy is a midfielder for Millwall – scored two goals in 28 appearances on loan at League Two Colchester United last season.
“I’ve obviously been here for a long time and I’ve got a strong affinity to the club, so I’m really pleased to be extending my time here,” Mitchell said on Charlton’s official website.
“I’m incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities that I’ve had here. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey.”
Jones said: “Zach has really impressed me since day one of pre-season. We had opportunities to let him go out on loan, but we felt his development was here and he’s been excellent. What we’ve got to do now is make sure he keeps moving forward.
“He was superb when he played for us at Cambridge, he’s been very close to starting league games, and he has that real versatility. He’s someone that has come through the academy which we’re delighted with and we feel he can make a big impact for Charlton Athletic.”
Technical director Andy Scott added: “Zach is a fantastic young player so we’re really pleased he’s committed to Charlton by signing a new long-term contract with the club. He’s got an outstanding mentality, which, combined with his technical and physical attributes, means he is a player we believe has a very bright future in front of him.
“We have one of the most productive academies in the country and retaining our best young players will play a key part in the progression of the football club. Zach is the latest academy graduate to sign a long-term contract with the club and we’re looking forward to watching him progress and develop under the tutelage of Nathan, who is an excellent developer of young talent and rates him very highly.”
