Charlton have completed the signing of Wales international Joe Ledley on a free transfer.

The midfielder, who has played 77 times for his country, has put pen to paper on a short-term deal with the club.

Ledley, 32, could go straight into Lee Bowyer’s squad for Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium and the Manager is pleased to have him on board.

Bowyer said: “He has experience, he has been in the game a long time, he’s an international player. He’ll come in again and help the young lads that are in around it. I’m over the moon to have him on board.”

Ledley began his career at Cardiff City, playing 229 league games for the Welsh side between 2004 and 2010. He moved to Celtic and played 106 league games before joining Crystal Palace in 2014, where he stayed until 2017. He most recently played for Derby County before leaving them in January.

Now he’s looking forward to getting back playing.

“I’m happy to be back in football and playing again,” he told Valley Pass.

“I want to play as many games as possible, to come here, play football and show everyone what I can do. It’s a good club to be at, they are a great bunch of lads, I know a few of them here and they’ve welcomed me straight away.”

Ledley becomes the fourth Wales international in the squad joining Tom Lockyer, Jonny Williams and Adam Matthews.

The Addicks were without 14 first team players for last weekend’s visit of Sheffield Wednesday and Head of Recruitment, Steve Gallen, explained it was important to add depth to the side to help them out in a time of need.

He said: “We’ve had Joe in to train with us for the week. It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a couple of weeks with the injuries that we’ve got. Lee’s been impressed, we’ve all been impressed, so we’re pleased to get him in.”

Ledley becomes Charlton’s 16th signing of the season and coincidentally will take the Addicks’ vacant number 16 shirt.

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