CHARLTON Athletic managing director James Rodwell said the club were “looking to cast the net further” after the Addicks signed Slovakia international Ivan Mesik this week.
Left-sided defender Mesik, 25, joined from Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Mesik is Charlton’s first signing of the summer as they prepare for a second successive Championship season.
“As with the signing of Collins Sichenje in February, Ivan is a player we’ve tracked for a long time,” Rodwell said on the club’s website. “We’re being targeted in our recruitment and looking to cast the net further and wider when identifying potential signings.
“Ivan has a profile we believe fits our long‑term plan, and we’re confident he has the potential to grow with us as we continue to build in a sustainable way.”
Addicks boss Nathan Jones added: “We’re delighted to add Ivan to the squad. We’ve monitored him for a while and he comes with real good pedigree playing in the Eredivisie. He’s a player that we’re excited about. He’s an excellent athlete, a great size and very versatile in terms of being able to play down the left-hand side and can cover the right side as well.
“He’s someone that’s really hungry to do well. We beat off an awful lot of competition to get him and he’ll provide a wonderful option down that left-hand side.”
Mesik began his career at hometown club MFK Dukla Banska Bystrica before signing for Spartak Trnava, where he made his senior professional debut in 2019.
Mesik then had spells with Nordsjælland in Denmark and Italy’s Pescara before he moved to top-flight Heracles Almelo in the summer of 2024. He made 63 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring three goals.
Mesik has three caps for Slovakia.
“I feel proud, I hope my family is proud because it is a huge step for me, I feel amazing,” Mesik said.
“I have had a good welcome here, so it feels great from the start, and I can’t wait to get started.
“I would say I have been slowly building up and progressing in every country I have been in. They were all big experiences because I was very young, so I just had to get through it, I tried to learn and take every little thing from it so I could be more experienced.”
“This football is elite football – everybody wants to play here. There are a lot of good clubs here and a lot of good facilities and conditions. I think it is a dream for everyone to play in England, I am really glad I could come here, it is a really good move for me.”
“I think it can really help me with the national team as well.
“I will put in the work here and I will work consistently, I think I can get better for the future. I have a really good work ethic. I am hard-working and ambitious.”
Mesik described what Addicks fans can expect from him.
“I would say I am aggressive, I like duels, that is my main strength,” he said. “But in the modern time of the footballer, I like to play on the ball, I like to dribble and play through the space when there is a gap, to play between the lines. I am a modern type of player, which is what everyone likes to see. I think the fans will love me and see all the skills I have.”
Mesik is looking forward to making his home debut.
He said: “The Valley is insane! When I came here, I could already tell it would be quite a lot bigger than I am used to and have been in before. In terms of stadium, facilities and conditions here it is quite a big step, but it is what we need as professionals in football, so I am excited. The stadium is really nice, and I can’t wait to see all the fans here.
“Everyone has been so friendly and tried to help me from the first minute and I was really glad about it, now we have to put the work in and help each other.”
“Me and the manager had a really good conversation, I was really impressed, because he knew me well. I am sure that we will talk more in the upcoming weeks about the football and expectations,’ he said.
“I can’t wait, when I heard the stories about the fans, they are amazing, fantastic, always putting a lot of energy into the team so I can’t wait to meet them here and I hope we will create atmosphere this season and, in the end, it is always about being successful together.”
