Have Charlton Found Their Championship Striker in Charlie Kelman?

Have Charlton Found Their Championship Striker in Charlie Kelman?

After Charlton Athletic secured promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, the club needed to strengthen their squad to bridge the gap between League One and the Championship. And that’s exactly what they have done, as the Addicks have already completed eight signings this summer transfer window, with their latest recruit Charlie Kelman looking like the man to lead the line for the upcoming season.

Who Is Charlie Kelman?

Charlie Kelman is a 23-year-old American international who spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient from parent club Queens Park Rangers. During his time with the O’s, Kelman won the League One golden boot and helped the team reach the play-off final, where they lost 1-0 to Charlton.

The Addicks have since signed the 23-year-old for an initial £3.5m fee, with the potential to rise to £5m if all add-ons are met. Kelman has signed on a four-year deal and will hope he can translate his goalscoring form from last season into the Championship. After scoring 21 goals in 46 appearances in League One last season, the American has already shown his new club what he can do.

📝 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘: Charlton Athletic have signed QPR striker Charlie Kelman.

🔸 Fee £3.5M + £1.5M add-ons.
🔸 Contract until 2029.

(Source: @CAFCofficial) pic.twitter.com/hRrKdDMa9Z

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 27, 2025

What Has Been Kelman’s Career Path So Far?

Kelman began his career with Southend United and boasted an impressive goal scoring record, notching up 61 goals in the 2017/18 in the Shrimpers youth side. The Amercian international then earnt himself a chance with the first team, as he made his professional debut against Southampton U21’s in the EFL trophy at just 17-years-old.

The striker then made his league debut for the club against Plymouth Argyle on January 12th 2019, in which he scored an exquisite goal from inside his own half in a 3-2 defeat. At the end of the 2019/20 season Southend were relegated from League Two, with several clubs interested in signing Kelman.

17-year-old Charlie Kelman did this at the weekend on his debut for Southend. 😳

Ridiculous!
Credit: @EFL pic.twitter.com/kr566s2Jcl

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) January 14, 2019

The American then made the move to QPR in October 2020 on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He later made his debut for the R’s in December later that year against Bristol City, and his full debut in April 2021 against Rotherham United. Since then the 23-year-old had multiple loan spells away from the club, unable to lock down a spot with his then parent club.

Kelman’s first loan move came at just 19-years-old when he joined Gillingham on a season-long loan in August 2021. The first half of his loan spell didn’t go to plan, as he returned to QPR after a lack of game time. However after Gillingham manager Steve Evans left the club, Kelman returned to the Gills in January for the remainder of the campaign. He scored two goals in 23 league appearances before returning to the Rangers.

In July 2022 Kelman then went on loan to Leyton Orient, which proved to be the first of two separate loan spells. This was another season-long loan, with the forward having a much better stint compared to when he was at Gillingham. He achieved 10 goals contributions in 43 league appearances for the O’s, scoring seven goals and assisting three.

The American then spent the first half of the 2023/24 campaign with QPR, making 11 appearances for the Championship side. The second half of that season was spent on loan at Wigan Athletic, just after he signed a contract extension with the Rangers, when he joined the club in January 2024. The striker scored three goals and got one assist in 14 league games for the League One club.

After returning to QPR in the summer of 2024, Kelman went on his second loan spell with Leyton Orient, joining the team for the 2024/25 campaign. The 23-year-old had his best season to date, scoring 21 goals and getting five assists in 46 league appearances. He helped the club reach the play-offs on the final day of the season, and narrowly missed out on promotion as they lost 1-0 to Charlton in the play-off final. His 21 league goals were enough to win the League One golden boot, prompting a permanent move to newly promoted Championship side Charlton Athletic.

Charlton have confirmed the signing of Charlie Kelman from QPR ✍️

Kelman scored 21 goals in League One while on loan at Leyton Orient last season, claiming the Golden Boot 🥇 pic.twitter.com/czuhgaI0gN

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 27, 2025

What Are Kelman’s Strengths?

Charlie Kelman is 1.8m (5ft 9in) tall which he uses to his advantage as his movement on and off the ball makes him a nuisance for defences. It’s this tenacity which translates into goals as the striker is a very keen and willing runner to get in behind the opposition’s backline.

Combine this with his clinical finishing from short and long range and you can see how the 23-year-old won the League One golden boot last season. The American also loves to cut in from the left flank and shoot with his preferred right foot. Overall Kelman is a quick, energetic and counter attacking striker who has a keen eye for goal when the opportunity presents itself.

Charlton have signed Charlie Kelman from QPR for £3.5 million!

21 goals in League One… 🎯

Have they played a blinder in getting him? 👀#CAFC
pic.twitter.com/D25uQhShGM

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) July 27, 2025

What Are Kelman’s Weaknesses?

Despite his terrific goalscoring form last season there are still some doubts on if Kelman can consistently come up with the goods. His loan spell with Leyton Orient in League One last season was his first consistent campaign in his career. And with the forward only being 23-years-old, his lack of experience could hinder the progress of Charlton as he looks to find his feet at a new club and a new league.

However jumping up to the Championship will prove to be more challenging for Kelman, as the difference in quality between League One and the Championship is quite considerable. On top of this the striker struggles physically, which might hamper his performance in the powerful and physical second tier of English football.

Charlton’s Other Summer Signings

Charlton have now made eight signings this transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad. The Addicks will be looking to survive their first season in the Championship since being away from the second tier for five years. The club have been very efficient in the transfer market, whilst also picking up players in different positions across the pitch to improve the whole squad.

Thomas Kaminski (goalkeeper), Joe Rankin-Costello (right-back), Reece Burke (centre-back) and Amari’i Bell (left-back) have all been picked up by the Addicks this summer. Additions in all defensive positions will give Charlton the added experience and quality they need to try and survive in the Championship.

Sonny Carey (central midfielder), Rob Apter (right winger), Tanto Olaofe (striker) and Charlie Kelman (striker) are the four attacking players that have been recruited by the Championship side this window.

The fact that Charlton have signed so many players that play in different positions is what will make fans hopeful that the side can stay up next season. With some players on this list even having Premier League experience, it only offers more hope that the club will be able to be competitive in the Championship.

To see which clubs in the EFL have spent wisely this summer transfer window, make sure to check out our article for a full breakdown of each team's signings.