Nathan Jones has revealed that Charlton Athletic are expected to sign winger Kazenga Lualua once the free agent’s international clearance is completed.
Despite being ranked 15th, the Addicks have the league’s leading scorer, Alfie May, who has 20 goals this season.
Lualua, 33, had previously played for current head coach Jones at Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton Town, and the Congolese-born player was even a member of Jones’ Luton Town squad that won promotion in 2019.
His most recent tenure was with Greek club Levadiakos, although he became a free agent at the start of February. Lualua has not played in English football since 2021, but has spent time in Greece and Turkey in the interim.
When he receives the necessary authorization from the authorities, he will become the second new signing for the Londoners in recent weeks, following striker Connor Wickham, who joined last Friday as a free agent. Wickham made his debut for the Addicks last Saturday, when they defeated Carlisle United at the bottom of the table.
Jones hopes to be featured in some capacity this weekend as Charlton Athletic go to second-bottom Fleetwood Town, looking to build on last Saturday’s victory.
Jones acknowledged during his pre-match press conference that the club is currently awaiting international clearance for LuaLua’s transfer [quotes via the South London Press]:
“We have agreed with Kazenga LuaLua – we’re just waiting for international clearance, to see whether he can be involved at the weekend,” Jones was quoted as saying.
“He is a player with whom I have worked for several years. He’s a player I worked with at Brighton, where he was fantastic, and then he came in and did the same thing for me at Luton.
Nathan Jones confirmed we're close to signing Kazenga LuaLua in today's press conference ℹ️
Watch in full ⬇️#cafc
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 14, 2024
“We don’t have him here. Tyreece Campbell is the only natural fit in a wide range of situations. We wanted to have that option. Kazenga is someone I know quite well. He had recently left Greece, so this was a great chance.
“He is one of those physical phenomena that may be thrown on the moon for a year and still be powerful for a few minutes. That’s the type of athlete he is. He’s a great guy, a wonderful athlete, and has had a successful career. I always love working with him; he improves us as a group, club, and hopefully as an 11.”
Writer’s perspective
Lualua has played for eight different clubs throughout his career, making him something of a journeyman. He will be trying to establish roots with Charlton. Jones clearly wants experienced players to lead Charlton Athletic ahead, as evidenced by his and Wickham’s signings.
The Addicks are presently 10 points above the relegation zone, and with young players like Miles Leaburn, Thierry Small, and Daniel Kanu in the squad, the experienced players Jones is bringing in will hopefully help them grow.
