Nathan Jones has struck Charlton Athletic transfer gold at Steve Bruce's expense | OneFootball

The Addicks raided Blackpool this summer in order to strengthen their squad for the Championship.

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones raided Blackpool during the summer transfer window as he prepared his squad for life in the Championship.

The Addicks signed exciting winger Rob Apter in a deal worth more than £2 million in July, after the former Scotland youth international scored eight goals and provided three assists for the Tangerines in League One last season.

Midfielder Sonny Carey also left Blackpool to join Charlton on a free transfer this summer, having scored 10 goals in all competitions last term and been a key player under Steve Bruce during the second half of the season.

Both players completed moves to The Valley following Charlton's promotion to the Championship last season, and they have shown that they are capable of making an impact in the second tier during the early weeks of the 2025/26 campaign.

Meanwhile, Blackpool are languishing just outside the relgation zone in League One during the international break, having made a slow start to the new season, and Bruce may wonder what might have been if he had been able to keep hold of Apter and Carey, who helped his side finish ninth in the third tier last term.

Rob Apter has made an impact at Charlton

Apter had only made one Championship appearance in his career prior to joining Charlton this summer, so he would have hoped to make a positive start to prove that he belongs in the second tier, especially having commanded a significant transfer fee.

The 22-year-old has started each of the Addicks' four league games so far, and netted his first goal for the club during their defeat against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road over the weekend.

His understanding with Carey has proven to be useful for Jones, as the former Blackpool duo have been able to get Charlton up the pitch and into dangerous areas with their intricate link-up play on the right-hand side.

Apter has created the most chances, completed the most successful dribbles and has the highest combined expected goals and assists for Charlton so far in the Championship this season, as per FotMob, showing his importance to the side from an offensive point of view.

He has also embraced his defensive responsibilities, which are equally important in a Nathan Jones team, as only Kayne Ramsay and Greg Docherty have made more successful tackles than the wing-back at present.

Both Apter and Carey seem to have adapted quickly to life under Jones, as only Miles Leaburn has won possession in the final third more times per 90 minutes than the pair, with aggressive pressing and forcing turnovers high up the pitch being a key part of the Welshman's tactical approach.

Steve Bruce will miss Rob Apter at Blackpool

Blackpool boss Steve Bruce made it clear that he did not want to lose Apter earlier this summer, as per The Blackpool Gazette, and the Tangerines' slow start will have done nothing to soften the blow of losing one of his standout players from last season.

"None of us wanted to sell Rob," Bruce said.

"Once it gets to a certain level of money, not just for the club, but for Rob himself personally, with the lure of the Championship - the kid knocked my door down every other day.

“It’s understandable. He became a little bit emotional in the end. We wish him the best of luck, he’s come through the academy here. He’s a bit of a dying breed.

“None of us wanted to sell him, especially the owner, but you have to accept that once a player is offered money of life-changing ability then it has a big pull.

“It’s a short career, and when you’re quadrupling your money, you’re going to have your head turned. Also, the Championship is where he wanted to be."

Bruce must find a way to win without both Apter and Carey this season, while Charlton will hope that their new signings from Blackpool can help them preserve their Championship status, having both made positive starts in SE7.