“Charlton Athletic has faced challenges in recent years, but their history is marked by significant profits in the transfer market. While they may have fallen from their early 2000s glory, the club has maintained a respected academy that has produced several top players. This has contributed to their financial success, although not all their substantial gains can be attributed to academy success stories. Here, we explore five instances where Charlton Athletic made substantial profits in the transfer market:
1. Darren Bent – A Notable Academy Product
One of Charlton Athletic’s most notable academy products, Darren Bent, brought in substantial fees throughout his career. Originally signed for £3 million from Ipswich Town, Bent secured a £16.5 million move to Tottenham Hotspur after Charlton’s relegation. He subsequently made lucrative transfers to Sunderland and Aston Villa before retiring in 2018.
2. Ademola Lookman – The Rise of an Attacker
Ademola Lookman, another talent emerging from the Addicks’ academy, had an impressive run at the age of 19, with 12 goals in 49 games for Charlton. Everton paid £11 million to acquire his services, and he has since had a successful career, playing in the Premier League and Serie A with Atalanta BC.
3. Joe Gomez – Defender’s Profitable Move
Joe Gomez left Charlton Athletic for Liverpool at the age of 18 in a £3.5 million deal over eight years ago. He had broken into Charlton’s first team at just 17 and has since made 182 appearances for Liverpool, earning 11 caps for the English national team.
4. Scott Parker – Academy Graduate’s Success
London-born Scott Parker, the last of the academy graduates on this list, had a remarkable career in the Premier League. Chelsea signed him from Charlton Athletic in 2004 for £10 million, making him a valuable academy product for Charlton.
5. Danny Mills – Profitable Defender
Finally, Charlton Athletic signed defender Danny Mills from Norwich City in 1998 for just £350,000. Mills was later sold to Leeds United for £4.1 million just over a year after joining Charlton, making it another profitable transfer for the club.”
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