Newly-promoted Charlton are lining up a move for Blackpool winger Rob Apter, 22. (Richard Cawley, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.
Paul Sullivan
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesFrom being vilified by some sections of the Charlton Athletic fanbase to becoming a play-off final goalscoring legend - catapulting the Addicks to the Championship after five years in the League One wilderness - Macauley Gillesphey has gone from zero to hero since his arrival in SE7.
It's been a remarkable improvement considering at the start of the season he was perceived to be the weakest member of the Charlton defence, with the fear of a mistake in him at any time.
However, as the season wore on his hard work paid off as he contributed to a defence that kept 22 clean sheets, while scoring six goals.
Nathan Jones believes he has grown into the team. Demands have been put on him and he's responded magnificently.
The Championship will be another challenge and he will need to step up another level, but he's been doing that since he entered the building.
He has become a forceful and determined defender, whose composure and reading of the game have improved dramatically.
The 29-year-old has settled well in the London area with his young family and his new two-year deal, with a club option for a further year, has come at the perfect time.
Gillesphey only made four second-tier appearances after winning the League One title with Plymouth Argyle in the 2022-23 season, so the question now will be is he ready to make the step up?
Well, he was born in Ashington - a breeding ground for winners like Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers [Jack and Sir Bobby]. Only time will tell.
Paul Sullivan provides commentary on Charlton Athletic games for the visually impaired.
Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor
Image source, Getty ImagesJoe Rankin-Costello will have been a dream for the past four bosses to have sat in the Blackburn Rovers hot seat.
An injury or suspension in a number of positions, and he'd be asked to fill it.
If I had a pound for how many times in the last 25 years that a player would tell me, "I'll play wherever the manager wants me to play," I'd be a very wealthy man. It's the stock answer, really, for any player to give; only occasionally will someone with a strong personality tell you how they really feel.
It's only natural that at 25 years of age the lure of a new challenge has led him to join Charlton Athletic, and where he plays for them will interest a lot of people who follow Rovers.
An academy graduate, Rankin-Costello can play central midfield, as a number ten, or wide in a front three on either side – not to mention at right-back where he undoubtedly produced his best form under Jon Dahl Tomasson.
He started the 2023-24 season as first choice at right-back after a sparkling second half to the previous campaign. And, although squad numbers barely resemble playing positions these days, a player wearing 11 at right-back tells you all you need to know.
Standout displays at Huddersfield Town and QPR showed him at his very best - comfortable in possession, spending 70% of the match in the opposition half rather than as an orthodox right-back - it was the position for him in a Tomasson system that brought the best out of him.
Yes, there were injuries that hampered his progress, and the emergence of Callum Brittain as one of the championship's best right-backs has meant that he's really only been a deputy under John Eustace and Valerien Ismael. He started last season wide on the right after finishing the previous campaign as a holding midfielder.
But when does versatility cost a player? It does when he isn't first choice in any position. Then when a chance comes due to the absence of someone else, a high-level performance is expected.
Given his age, he should have more than 132 senior appearances across all competitions. His talent should dictate that. He'll not have too many issues settling in with Thomas Kaminski and Amari'i Bell (new arrivals at The Valley), both being former Rovers team-mates.
On paper, the deal looks a good one for all parties. Rovers get cash for someone surplus to requirements; Charlton get a player with well over 100 championship appearances; and the player himself will get a change of scenery and a brand new challenge to kick-start a career that badly needs it.
Charlton Athletic are eyeing up a deal for Blackpool midfielder Rob Apter, 22, but Tangerines boss Steve Bruce is eager to keep hold of the Liverpool-born Scotsman. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.
Charlton Athletic and Derby County are in a race to sign Fulham and Wales under-21 midfielder Luke Harris after the 20-year-old caught the eye during his loan spell with League One champions Birmingham City last season. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.
Image source, Getty ImagesCharlton Athletic defender Macaulay Gillesphey has signed a new two-year contract with the Championship club.
The 29-year-old joined the Addicks from Plymouth in January 2024 and his new deal includes the option of a further 12 months.
Gillesphey, who started his career at Newcastle, made 54 appearances in all competitions for Charlton last season, scoring six goals - including the winner against Leyton Orient in the League One play-off final.
"I feel the club's going in the right direction and I've enjoyed every minute so far, obviously getting promoted through the play-offs was an incredible experience," he told the club website.
"I just can't wait to get going with the new season at The Valley in front of all our fans again."
Charlton will open their Championship season at home to Watford on 9 August.
Preston North End are set to beat Charlton Athletic and QPR to the signing of Brighton defender Odeluga Offiah. (London World), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.
Charlton Athletic are interested in signing experienced Luton Town goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, 32, following their promotion to the Championship. (Luton Today), external
The Addicks are also closing in on the signature of Stockport County striker Isaac Olaofe, 25. (Darren Witcoop via X), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.
The EFL fixture list is out and we know you are bursting to know what you've got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.
Here are some key dates to put in your diary:
9 August - v Watford (H)
16 August - v Bristol City (A)
13 September - v Millwall (H)
26 December - v Norwich (A)
1 January 2026 - v Coventry (H)
24 January - v Millwall (A)
2 May - v Swansea (A)
See Charlton Athletic's full fixture list here.
Your club will soon discover their schedule for the upcoming EFL season. As soon as Thursday, in fact.
Want to know who your side will face on opening day? The EFL fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that's not all.
The day will be rounded off by the first round of Carabao Cup being drawn at 16:30 BST.
So check back on 26 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.
Huddersfield Town have submitted an offer to Leyton Orient to sign 24-year-old midfielder Ethan Galbraith, who has also drawn interest from Charlton Athletic, Sheffield United and Swansea City. (Yorkshire Post), external
Want more EFL transfer rumours? Check out Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Rex FeaturesDanny Hylton scored one goal in 10 appearances at Charlton
Charlton Athletic striker Danny Hylton has announced his retirement from professional football and will continue his role as part of Nathan Jones' backroom staff.
The 36-year-old made 10 appearances for the Addicks after joining as player-coach in September.
The former Oxford United and Luton Town forward's only goal for Jones' side came in a 5-0 thumping of his former club Northampton Town in December.
"It's time to say goodbye to playing the beautiful game, a career I can now look back on and be immensely proud of," he said in a post on his LinkedIn page, external.
"Thank you to every club I have played for for allowing me to represent your club.
"Thank you to the fans for all your support, thank you to everyone that has been part of my journey."
Hylton began his career at Aldershot Town, where he scored 48 goals in 209 appearances before moving Rotherham United in 2013.
He made just two appearances for the Millers before moving to Oxford the following year, where he scored 30 goals in 101 games and helped the U's to League Two promotion in his second season.
Hylton enjoyed his most successful spell with Luton, spending six years with the Hatters and twice working under Jones.
He scored 62 goals in 170 appearances during a memorable era for the club as they rose from League Two to the Championship.
A two-year stint at Northampton brought no goals before his move to The Valley last year.
Charlton Athletic have seen a £1.5m offer for Leyton Orient midfielder Ethan Galbraith, 24, rejected by the League One side - with three other Championship clubs expected to bid for the ex-Manchester United academy player. (Standard), external
Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Bromwich Albion's Tom Fellows has been added to the England Under-21s squad for the European Championship in Slovakia.
The 21-year-old replaces Jobe Bellingham, who will now travel to play in the Club World Cup after joining Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland.
Fellows, who scored four goals and made 14 assists in the Championship for Albion last season, had already travelled with England Under-21s as a training player.
But he is now in contention to be involved in the opening group game against the Czech Republic on Thursday (20:00 BST).
Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic attacker Tyreece Campbell made his Jamaica debut on Wednesday in their 3-0 win over Guatemala in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers.
Campbell came on as an 84th-minute substitute for Jamaica, who have won all four of their second-round group-stage games.
