Ask anyone at Charlton what George Lapslie’s rise is all down to and they will say the same thing…hard work.

The 21-year-old signed a deal to keep him at The Valley until 2021 this week and the midfielder now serves as inspiration to those in the Club’s Academy that hard work pays off.

In a family of Charlton fans the youngster, who’s been at the club since he was ten-years-old, has cemented his place in Lee Bowyers squad this season which earned him a contract extension.

“His attitude never changed. Never ever changed,” Academy Manager Steve Avory told cafc.co.uk.

“I’m so pleased for George because there can’t be a more hard-working, dedicated young man.

“Even at his age he is such a role model to show to our scholars, who are only a few years younger.

“We say ‘have a look at George Lapslie and the way he goes about himself each and every day and each and every game you see him play’.

"Last season he was having a tough time, it wasn’t working out with consistent performances at Under 23 level but he wanted to know why, knock on your door and ask for help and guidance.

"He asks you to look at things with him, ask what he’s got to work on.

"That’s typical George and that’s served him well in terms of where he is now.

“I’m so pleased for him.”

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Took his Opportunity

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Head of Recruitment Steve Gallen also sang the box-to-box midfielder’s praises, but also outlined how his route to the first team came by chance and how he grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

“I think at the end of last year he wasn’t part of the first team squad to be honest.

“Lee (Bowyer) gave him a chance in the summer, partly because we were a bit short in that position, and he was great in pre-season.

“He’s cemented himself now over the last six months from being someone on the periphery to being a first team squad member in every game.

“Lee’s done well, putting him in there and giving him an opportunity and George has responded brilliantly and really matured as a player.

“He’s strong, hard-working, honest football player who can play as well.”

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Captain Goal

Lapslie has featured in 21 league outings this campaign and his buccaneering all-action style of play has established himself as a fan favourite already.

The Academy graduate admitted one day he hopes to captain the side and expressed his gratitude to those who helped him achieve representing his boyhood club.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks guys, absolutely buzzing to sign a new deal and stay here, look forward to what we can achieve in the next few years! ⚽️ ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadeInCharlton?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadeInCharlton</a> <a href="https://t.co/QpFXBCAGnW">https://t.co/QpFXBCAGnW</a></p>— George Lapslie (@GeorgeLapslie) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeLapslie/status/1097912986285604872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>

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“I think everyone here will probably say it is their goal to be the captain and leader but I’ve got to get my spot in the team first!”

“I’m grateful to everyone that has helped me get to where I am.

“People like Steve Avory have got to get a lot of credit for what they do, the hard work they put in behind the scenes. I’d be a lot less than what I am without Steve.

“Having Lee Bowyer and Jacko has been unreal for me and really propelled me to where I am.”