Academy is key to Charlton future

Last updated : 09 June 2011 By BBC Sport

"We have plenty of talent coming through and that is a pathway at a club like ours because of our league status," Avory told BBC London 94.9.

"It's the objective of the academy, to produce players for the first team."

Avory added that the Finland Under-21 international's move to the North London club took everyone at the Valley by surprise.

"This all came a little bit sooner than expected, but I think Carl will manage that," he said.

"You would like those players to play at least a season, if not a little bit more.

"It's nice when that talent is recognised, when you've got individuals at the top of the tree like Jonjo Shelvy, like Carl, who are now stepping up the ladder even further."

Shelvey, 19, made his Addicks debut at 16 and completed a move to Liverpool in 2010 for an initial fee of ?1.7m after making 48 appearances for Charlton.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport