'Deal done' - Charlton Athletic beat QPR and Watford to major Premier League coup

Charlton Athletic have confirmed the signing of former Luton Town midfielder Luke Berry, beating reported competition from Championship sides QPR and Watford to bring the midfielder to The Valley.

The 31-year-old made 17 Premier League appearances for the Hatters last season as they were relegated from the top flight. Berry made a total of 184 appearances for Luton Town between 2017 and 2024.

The player previously represented Cambridge United and Barnsley. He has been promoted from all three EFL divisions during his career and scored in each of England's top five leagues, bringing a wealth of experience to Nathan Jones' Addicks squad as the club continues to go about its transfer business early.

Berry has signed a two-year contract as a free agent following his release from Kenilworth Road and becomes the League One club's second summer signing after goalkeeper Will Mannion. Last month, London rivals QPR and Watford had both been linked with interest in the midfielder by Football Insider.

On signing for Charlton Athletic on Monday, Berry said: “Nathan [Jones] told me how great the club is. When I finished up at Luton, I rang him straight away and wanted to get it going. This Charlton team is a really good team. We just need to believe in ourselves, put in the hard work and I can see us doing something special.”

Having become embroiled in a League One relegation fight halfway through the season, Charlton Athletic were a renewed side under the stewardship of former Southampton and Luton Town boss Nathan Jones. The Addicks went on an impressive 14-game unbeaten run and are tipped to be competing at the opposite end of the division next term.

Berry worked with Jones at Luton Town during both of the manager’s stints with the club. Jones told the official Charlton website: “Luke’s someone that I signed for Luton in 2017. He’s one of the best goalscoring midfielders outside of the Premier League in recent years in terms of his outputs and we’re really delighted to have him.

“He’s a player I know very well as a character, athlete and footballer. It’s a significant signing for us with the track record that he’s got of promotions. He’s obviously had three promotions with Luton and that’s exactly what we’ve brought him in for. We’ve fought off a lot of competition to get him and I’m just pleased that our club and my relationship with him has enabled us to get the signing over the line. I’m sure he’s going to be a significant signing for the club.

“His last appearance was in the Premier League and his next appearance is going to be for Charlton Athletic, so that’s the type of calibre that we want to attract. We’ve fought off a lot of Championship interest for Luke.”