Walton seals Addicks switch

Leeds United youngster Simon Walton has completed his move to Premiership outfit Charlton Athletic.

The Addicks agreed a fee with The Whites earlier in the week believed to be around £500,000 including incentives for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Walton was happy to help Leeds in their battle to return to England's top-flight next season, but found Charlton's offer to good to refuse.

"I am very grateful to the club for giving me the chance to move into The Premiership with Charlton," Walton told Stellar Group.

"I had a year left of my contract and was aiming for a good season with Leeds, but when this offer came out of the blue I knew it was too good to turn down.

"Charlton are an established Premiership team with an excellent manager in Iain Dowie and I am really looking forward to getting started with pre-season."

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has revealed his disappointment at losing one of his promising youngsters, but felt he could not deny Walton a Premiership move.

"I'm disappointed to lose a good youngster in Simon, but I felt I couldn't deny him," Blackwell said to Sky Sports News.

"Simon wished to speak with them, so I granted him that request."