Former Charlton midfielder Marcus Maddison drops into non-league football

Former Charlton midfielder Marcus Maddison has signed for non-league Spalding United.

The 27-year-old cut short his loan stay at Bolton Wanderers last season and revealed he had fallen out of love with professional football.

But Maddison, who joined the Addicks on October 1 but only lasted four months in SE7, has agreed to play for the Northern Premier League Central Division side in the 2021-22 season.

Spalding manager Gab Zakuani said: “I’m very pleased to get a player of this quality. I know Marcus personally, and I think at this arrangement suits both parties.”

Maddison added: “When Gaby reached out and offered me the opportunity to get involved with what he’s trying to build at Spalding, I felt like it was something I wanted to be part of. I look forward to getting fit and showing the gaffer what I can do.”

Maddison announced in April that he was taking a break from football.

“Well, the football industry has eventually broken me,” he posted on Instagram. “All the abuse, pressures and monotony of the last two years has just got to me.

“I’ve tried to fit in and be happy but if I can’t be happy in a winning team fighting for promotion it’s clearly something deeper.

“I’m returning home to think ‘do I want to play football any more’ as it just doesn’t bring me any joy at all.”

Charlton had an option to extend Maddison’s contract by 12 months but were never going to activate that option after he failed to settle or impress enough in South London.