Charlton Athletic goalkeeper transfer target joined Celtic
Exeter City goalkeeping coach Kevin Miller has revealed that Celtic’s new keeper signing Viljami Sinisalo was a target for Charlton Athletic.
The 22-year-old stopper moved from Aston Villa to the Scottish giants earlier this month for an undisclosed fee, which the South London Press understands to be in the region of £1.2million.
The Finnish international played 50 matches for Exeter City on loan in the last campaign.
Miller told their club website: “I spoke with Vil and he’s absolutely buzzing. He could’ve gone to Charlton, he was sort of waiting and waiting and waiting for the Celtic thing to happen.
“It’s a no brainer that he is going there. Not only financially life-changing but to go to a club of that stature – Europe. (Kasper) Schmeichel is there but he’s 38 years of age and Vil can learn so much goalkeeping knowledge from him and I’m sure Vil will play eight to 10 games this year in cup games and maybe games after they’ve played in Europe.
“I’ve said to him: ‘Just be yourself – don’t be any different to what you’ve been here.’ He’s such a humble guy. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
As Wigan Athletic prepare to challenge for a top six spot in the 2024/25 League One season, the Latics added experience to their young squad by signing 30-year-old Will Aimson from Exeter City on Monday.
While manager Shaun Maloney and his recruitment team have been relatively busy during the transfer window, bringing in the likes of Dion Rankine from Chelsea on a permanent deal, and securing the loan signing of Michael Olakigbe and Calvin Ramsay from Brentford and Liverpool respectively, it is imperative that the Greater Manchester club sign a striker before the new campaign gets underway next month.
The contracts of attacking trio Josh Magennis, Stephen Humphrys and Charlie Wyke all expired following the conclusion of last season, leaving the inexperienced Josh Stones as the Latics’ only out-and-out striker for the time being.
Youth academy graduate Chris Sze was deployed as a number nine during a pre-season friendly with Accrington Stanley last weekend, but it is still evident that Maloney must bring a new forward to the fold.
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