‘Nice to get it done earlier’ – Adam Matthews reacts to signing new Charlton Athletic contract

Adam Matthews is looking forward to coming up against his former club Celtic after signing a new one-year contract at Charlton Athletic.

The Addicks get their pre-season programme off and running with a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Scottish club on Saturday.

Manager Nigel Adkins will give 22 players a run-out in the match, each one getting 45 minutes.

Matthews’ deal had expired on July 1 but the right-back agreed new terms this week.

“It is nice to get it done earlier than last year,” he told the club’s website. “I said at the end of last season I wanted to stay. I spoke to the manager a couple of times and he really seemed to want me hear, that’s always a good sign.

“We must have been in the top two or three for form in the last 12-15 games and were unlucky to miss out on the play-offs on goal difference. We can take confidence from last season, especially how we ended it.

“Signing Jayden [Stockley] is a big coup for the club. It was important to keep a good core, with some important extras to help us out.”

Matthews played 150 matches for Celtic.

“I had a great time at Celtic,” he said. “Probably the best period of my career, I won a lot of trophies and I’ve still got a lot of friends there.”