Charlton sign striker Macauley Bonne from Leyton Orient on three year deal

The 23-year-old Zimbabwe international is Lee Bowyer’s first signing of the summer.

Scoring 49 goals in two seasons he leaves the O’s having won promotion after helping them to the National league title.

Bowyer revealed signing a forward was his priority this transfer window.

“If you don’t score goals, you don’t win games,” the Addicks boss told CAFC.

“We did the same thing last season with Lyle (Taylor), he was our first signing and Macauley’s ours this summer.

“We have to get people in that are going to do things in the attacking third, that’s what we’re focusing on and what we’ve been focusing on for a long time.

“Steve Gallen (the club’s Head of Recruitment) has been looking at him for two years, so it’s been something that we’ve been keeping an eye on and now it’s the right time for him to come to us.”

Karlan-Replacement

Bonne, who began his career at Colchester United, had loan spells Lincoln City and Woking before moving to Orient two years ago where his goal scoring made Gallen and Bowyer aware of his ability.

“The manager and I talked about him in January as a potential replacement for Karlan (Grant) at that stage to see if we could do it,” he said.

“We couldn’t at that stage, but we’re now really pleased to get him.

“Macauley’s been part of the team that won the National League, and he’s scored a lot of goals and as I say he’s someone who we’ve been watching for a while.”

Bonne himself revealed why he chose Charlton ahead of a host of other admirers.

“I thought it was the best move for me to progress and become a better player.”

“Seeing how they’ve had a young team for the past two seasons and they’ve managed to get where they have with the youth in there.

“I’m delighted to be here now, it’s been something that’s been on the cards for a while now and so I’m delighted that it’s over the line.”