Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce that academy graduate Zach Mitchell has signed a new long-term contract with the club. The 19-year-old defender, who joined the Addicks as an U7, has put pen-to-paper on a deal until 2027, with a club option of an extra year. Since earning his first-team debut in November 2022, Mitchell has featured 13 times, including both of the Addicks’ cup ties this 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,” said Mitchell, who is one of eight academy graduates to feature for Nathan Jones this season. “I’m incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities that I’ve had here. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey.” Manager Nathan Jones commented: “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.” After progressing through the club’s esteemed academy, the centre-back signed his first professional contract in July 2022 and made his senior debut three months later in a Papa John's Trophy tie against Brighton & Hove Albion U21s. Mitchell, who has been capped by England at U15 level, then earned his full league debut in December 2022 in Charlton’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Cheltenham Town at The Valley. Following his impressive breakthrough campaign, he was named the Sky Bet League One Apprentice of the Season at the 2023 EFL Awards ceremony. The academy graduate spent last season on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Colchester United, where he made 29 appearances, scoring twice.
I have always liked him since the U18s. He really needs to be a first team regular before we get any money for him.
Another easy to read measure of the quality of our owners. If Mitchell is sold within two years... well I doubt if any of us will be surprised.
I’d like to see him getting some game time now. He should certainly start the FA Cup tie at Southend. He will have an easy introduction to first team football up against Macauley Bonne.
