Wimbledon confirm striker has put pen to paper
We are delighted to announce that Charlie Strutton has today committed his future to AFC Wimbledon for a further two years.
The 24-year-old striker has re-signed for Wimbledon after he made a vital contribution to Wimbledon’s League 2 survival at the end of last season.
It was also a campaign that included Charlie’s first goal in senior football at York City in the FA Cup after he was plucked from non league Chalfont St Peter. Though his season was interrupted by a knee injury, manager Neal Ardley believes Charlie (pictured above providing the assist for Jack Midson's vital goal at Gillingham) is a player with plenty of potential to be a fine League 2 striker.
“Charlie had good impact in games, particularly at the end of last season, and he played a big part in us staying up,” said Neal. “Charlie is still a bit raw and has had a few injuries in the last couple of years. However, if we can get a full season out of him or limit his time out injured, then he can be a really good striker at this level.”
Charlie, who was still playing Southern League football with Chalfont St Peter until Wimbledon signed him on 2 March, 2012, said that he had not contemplated a move elsewhere after being offered another chance by the Dons.
“I am over the moon because this is what I wanted,” Charlie said. “I wanted to stay at Wimbledon, where I have enjoyed it a lot so far. I was not thinking about going anywhere else and I was just hoping that the club would offer me another contract. I am pleased that I have been offered a chance to stay.
“I was happy with the way that I played at times during the season, but I had injuries that kept me out for longer than I expected. I am looking forward to next season and hopefully staying injury-free. I was fit at the end of last season and it was good to make a contribution.”
Charlie, who went back to his old club Chalfont St Peter for their end-of-season presentations on Saturday, added that he is proud to play for Wimbledon.
“The only club I had played for before this was Chalfont,” he said. “When I attended events such as the end of season dinner at Wimbledon it showed me how big the club is and the great support it has. I enjoyed the last few games and helping Wimbledon to stay up. The highlights last season for me were playing in the FA Cup games and scoring my first professional goal against York. Hopefully, I can stay fit though and have a better season than the last one.”