Why Cyrus Christie rejected Charlton Athletic to join Steven Schumacher's Bolton Wanderers | OneFootball

Cyrus Christie has revealed the reason for rejecting Charlton and linking up with Bolton.

Experienced defender Cyrus Christie has revealed he turned down a move to Charlton Athletic as the Addicks’ offer didn’t match the value he could bring to the team.

The former Republic of Ireland international had been released by Swansea City at the age of 32 and was weighing up offers coming in to secure his services throughout the summer.

Closing in on 500 club career appearances, Christie elected to join Steven Schumacher at Bolton Wanderers, looking to use his vast amounts of experience to help push the club back to the second-tier.

And now Christie has opened up about his move to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, outlining why he turned down a move to The Valley and preferred a switch to the Trotters.

Cyrus Christie reveals reason for Charlton Athletic snub

As per The Bolton News, defender Cyrus Christie, who has made 331 appearances in the second-tier, has revealed he was training with Charlton Athletic over the summer and was presented with a contract, but that the offer did not reflect the value he could bring to the team in the Championship.

Christie said: “I was in there training, and they did give me an offer. But you get to a stage in your career where you have to understand your value.

“And I believe that their contract didn't represent the value that I could bring. I just didn't think it was right for me and my family. And, you know, it's been a different summer this year.

“I haven't had an agent. I've done it on my own. So that's always a bit different.

“I was probably on the phone too much in that sense. There were other opportunities here abroad and we had a big decision to make but sometimes, you just know when things fit.

“My partner, my missus, she really enjoyed it when Bolton came knocking. She felt it was right. And that is the main thing, making sure it's right for you, the family.

“I’m delighted to be here and playing for Bolton. I'm excited about what we can achieve, I like the way the manager’s teams play football.

“I've come into a young group, quiet group, and I think I've got a lot of experience and leadership values that I can add.”

Cyrus Christie adds much-needed experience to Bolton Wanderers group

Prior to bringing in 14 players over the course of the summer, Bolton Wanderers only had Josh Sheehan as a senior figure over 30, so Cyrus Christie will help bring much-needed experience to the group that younger players can learn and develop from.

The former Fulham and Derby County man has spent the entirety of his career in England, mainly at Championship level, but has also registered over 60 appearances in the third-tier before completing his move to Bolton, so he has an understanding of how the division operates and the demands of it every week.

At 32, he will still feel he has a lot more left to give, and his leadership qualities and ability to organise a backline will be imperative to the team maintaining a solid defensive shape, an area that will be key to helping Bolton contend towards the top end of the division.

It’s a testament to Christie’s character of not settling for a move back in the Championship, with the defender wanting to prove he still has what it takes to play regularly and help push a sleeping giant back into the top echelons of English football.

This could prove to be an inspired signing, with the hope that Christie can use his knowhow to galvanise the squad and keep them on an upward trajectory for the remainder of the season.