JAMES Abankwah has vowed to provide a “winning mentality” at The Valley after arriving on loan from Udinese.
The teenage defender becomes Charlton’s third capture in what is turning out to be a busy transfer deadline day in SE7 following the earlier signings of Tennai and Louie Watson.
Abankwah played twice for Serie A outfit Udinese after joining from Dublin side St Patrick’s Athletic last year and will now spend the upcoming campaign with the Addicks.
Already an Irish U21 cap, the confident 19-year-old defender feels his abilities on the pitch will be a huge benefit to his latest club.
“It feels great to be a Charlton player,” said Abankwah.
“I’m delighted to be here and I’m ready to go.
“I’m hoping to gain a lot of experience here and help the team win as many games as possible.
“I bring that winning mentality and I have also got a lot of speed, strength and I am a very powerful player.
“I like to bring that to the team to help as much as I can.”
Charlton technical director Andy Scott has been keeping tabs on Abankwah for a while and believes the new signing will strengthen the Addicks’ backline.
Scott said: “He is a player that I watched a number of years ago in Ireland and I have followed his career ever since, through the Republic of Ireland youth age groups from U16 to U21 level.
“All the reports we have had on him are exceptional and with James joining, it gives us more defensive versatility.”
