Charlton Athletic and Bristol Rovers 'incredible' January target made free agent

Former Charlton Athletic transfer target Jonson Clarke-Harris has been released by Peterborough United just four months after an unforgettable January transfer debacle involving the Addicks and Bristol Rovers.

The 29-year-old, who has an impressive 107 League One goals to his name, topped the scoring charts twice in three years between 2021 and 2023. He racked up 190 appearances with The Posh but is known to have been eyeing up a new challenge this season.

Clarke-Harris scored 13 times this term as Peterborough's promotion hopes ended in the play-off semi-final. The striker was transfer-listed 12 months ago but a move never worked out for the player, despite interest and a number of bids.

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson praised Clarke-Harris and labelled the player and ‘incredible signing’ and someone who ‘will never be forgotten for what he did’ for the club. He added: "Of course, at the start of this season, we felt he would be leaving twice, particularly the first window, but stayed and by that time I had made my mind up that I wanted to go in a different direction. I wish him all the best, I am sure he will get a good move and he deserves it."

Clarke-Harris had been on the verge of completing a move to Bristol Rovers last summer but the move fell through at the last minute despite a club-record fee being agreed for the Gas. Charlton Athletic, Gillingham, Wrexham A.F.C. and Fleetwood Town were all then linked with a move in the summer.

The London outfit were believed to have seen an initial £450,000 bid turned down by Peterborough before having a £500,00 offer accepted. Contract discussion followed but Clarke-Harris was reported to have rejected two separate deals from The Valley in favour of leaving Posh on his contract's expiry.

Director of Football, Barry Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph: "Johnno has turned down two contract offers from Charlton. It’s up to him of course, but he isn’t going to get a better offer or a better club in my opinion.

"He could believe he will be financially better off if he leaves for nothing in the summer, but clubs are struggling financially and with financial fair play rules. Two Premier League clubs got charged yesterday and I know of half a dozen Championship clubs who are struggling to stay within the rules. The money isn’t there anymore.”