Ahead of a season where he would aim to take Charlton back to the Championship, Lee Bowyer was keen to use the summer transfer market to bolster his forward options.
And there was arguably not a better place to look than AFC Wimbledon where Lyle Taylor was playing.
A previous thorn in Charlton’s side, in the 28-year-old, Bowyer and supporters knew they would be getting some player.
Great signing, I was saying to all around me in the West Stand throughout last season that if we could get hold of Lyle we'd be right up there. Gave his all against us and it will be good to see him doing that for us.
— Phil (@misterphill19) June 27, 2018
Great signing
— Rich_Henny_Vol1 (@RichVol1) June 27, 2018
At last a signing, any more news on the take over?
— Lee Mcgachie (@lee_mcgachie) June 27, 2018
Lyle Taylor signed. At the training ground today. Happy with that. #cafc
— Charlton Strife (@TwistedShoe) June 27, 2018
Obviously Taylor comes on a free which you’d assume may well be the way we’ll have to do our business whilst Roland Duchatelet still owns the club, but a good capture nonetheless #cafc
— Louis Mendez (@LouisMend) June 27, 2018
LYLE TAYLOR! What a signing #cafc
— Tom Davies (@Tom_D98) June 27, 2018
Lyle Taylor chose the mighty Charlton over little Sunderland. #CAFC
— Valley Floyd Fred (@ValleyFloydFred) June 27, 2018
Lyle Taylor is a decent start. Did well up here and at Wimbledon. Still hundreds to do but it’s a decent start. #CAFC #COYA
— Fraser Elgin (@Fraser1874) June 27, 2018
Lyle Taylor is a great signing! Hopefully its the start of a good window #cafc
— DD (@OneDD34) June 27, 2018
Very happy with Taylor. Proper league one centre forward who has a bit of everything. Bullied us every time ive seen him #cafc
— GS94 (@GS__94) June 27, 2018
“He’s a top striker in this division,” Bowyer told Charlton’s official club website following Taylor’s acquisition.
And the former AFC Wimbledon man has shown just that this season, contributing massively to the Addicks in their battle for Championship promotion.
In 34 League One appearances, Taylor has scored 14 goals while assisting a further eight along the way.
But it is not just goals Taylor has brought to this Charlton side, with the Montserrat international having let supporters know there is more to his game the day he joined the club.
“I’ll fight and scrap and do everything I can to get points for the team. My job is to put the ball in the back of the net, but if it means I’ll have to throw my weight around, I will do whatever is necessary,” Taylor said back in June (Charlton’s official club website).
A quick and powerful centre-forward, Taylor has been a man of his words, often being seen working his socks off at The Valley.
That, his ability to run in behind and hold up the ball among other strengths, have made Taylor an excellent addition, especially considering Charlton did not have to pay a penny to bring him to the club.
