Ex Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) Advance Centre player Karlan Ahearne-Grant made a big step in his burgeoning professional career by signing a new three year contract with Charlton Athletic Football Club.
The Charlton resident was spotted at a CACT-run football course at the age of 12 before moving on to the trust’s advance centre and then the club’s academy. He has been there ever since, progressing through the ranks to make his first team debut against Norwich in September 2014.
Upon signing, the 18 year old said: “I’m really happy to commit to another three years here. I’ve been at Charlton since I was 12 years old and I’m hopeful that I can really push on this season.
“Now that I’ve got that security, I can knuckle down, push for my chance and properly take it. I’m really grateful to people like Steve Avory, Jason Euell and Joe Francis.
“They’ve given me a lot of good advice over the years and, this summer, people like Andrew Crofts, Kevin Foley and Johnnie Jackson have been really helpful to me and the other younger players.”
CACT’s head of football and sports development, Sean Daly coached Karlan as a youngster and had this to say on his new contract:
“We knew Karlan was talented when we saw him as a 12 year old. It’s been really satisfying watching him grow and mature from the community trust teams, through the club’s academy and now into the first team.”
Other professionals to come through the CACT Advance Centre include Harry Arter, Rob Elliot and Bradley Dack.
Click here to find out more about CACT’s Advance Centre and how you can be involved >>>