Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce that club legend Chris Solly will return to Sparrows Lane as a Professional Development Phase Coach.
The 33-year-old, who joined the academy as a player more than 20 years ago and played 313 games for the first-team, will assist U21s Lead Coach Chris Lock.
Commenting on his appointment, Solly said: “It feels brilliant. I always imagined that one day I would come back in a coaching capacity. From the day I left I still had that vision of hopefully coming back one day. Today’s the day, so it’s brilliant to be back.
“The opportunity to come back at such a young age and start my coaching career was a no-brainer. Coming through the academy myself, and knowing how successful it is and the amount of good people that work within it, I’m looking forward to learning from everyone here.”
A former Charlton captain, Solly was part of two promotions and won back-to-back Player of the Year awards in 2011/12 and 2012/13 and one Young Player of the Year award in 2011/12.
Academy Director Steve Avory, who oversaw Solly’s development throughout his time in the academy, said: “I’m really pleased to get Chris back to Charlton. If there’s one player throughout my years of youth development at Charlton that I’m particularly proud of – because he went on to play over 300 games for the first-team – it’s Chris Solly. He is undoubtedly the best individual defender that I’ve ever worked with.
“He’ll bring vast experience. He’s an ex-academy player, so he knows all about our environment and the values that we instil in players.
“He’ll accept that it’s a different skillset when you’re coaching compared to playing. But like Jason Pearce, when he retired from playing and came into the academy, Chris wants to develop himself as a coach. There’s no better place to do that than here.”
Charlton fans can support the academy by signing up to the Valley Gold scheme. Valley Gold enables fans to support the club’s academy in unearthing the talents of tomorrow, as well as giving them the chance to win cash prizes.
Click here for more information on how you can become a Valley Gold member.