Boss says Kirk went the right way in difficult circumstances for him personally

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has praised the way Charlie Kirk handled his transfer to Charlton Athletic in testing circumstances.

The winger joined the Addicks on a four-year deal yesterday and will be available for their weekend trip to Oxford United but it was all conducted with the backdrop of the young player going through a sad time personally.

Crewe received a fee for our former Academy graduate after Charlton reached our valuation figure.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Charlie has handled the move extremely well in testing circumstances. He has been open and transparent throughout and he just believes the time is not right for him to move on.

“We have received a transfer fee for him, which I feel is right. That helps the club survive and grow and its important. We don’t want any of our good, young players to go for nothing.

“Ryan (Wintle) got lucky last season that Josh (Lundstram) was injured for the length of time he was because he wouldn’t have played. He would have come out of the team and Josh would have played.

“When we know that one may be the next to go, we plan for the succession if we can. When we knew Pixie was going, Rio came into the team at right-back to get his ready. It would have been the same with Ryan and Josh.

He added: “Now we have to find one for Charlie. It may be that he is already here or that we will have to look outside to plug the gap until we develop another one from our Academy.”