Wales defender Tom Lockyer activates relegation clause

Wales defender Tom Lockyer has taken the option to activate a release clause in his contract which will allow him to leave Charlton. 

Lockyer, who has only been with The Addicks for a season, now looks set to move on from the London club.

Lee Bowyer’s side have been relegated to League One and a move to a Championship club may be needed if Lockyer is to cement a place in Ryan Giggs’ EURO 2020 squad.

In an exclusive report by London News Online, it claims Lockyer had a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave the club for free, should Charlton be relegated.

Despite a further year on his contract and a reported contract extension from Charlton, Lockyer looks certain to leave.

He now has a month to find himself a new club before it activates.

The 25-year-old had been a target for Swansea City last season before he signed with Charlton.

With Mike van der Hoorn’s departure at the Liberty Stadium, a return offer for Lockyer may be on the cards. 

Despite one Wales international looking set to leave The Valley, one is staying. 

Wales talisman Jonny Williams agreed to a new one-year deal last week after activating his contract extension. 

“I’m delighted to be staying,” said the 26-year-old.

“I’ve loved my time at Charlton, I feel at home here and I’m looking forward to, hopefully, having a good season next year and doing what we can to get the team back to the Championship.

“Throughout the club, the players, the coaches, the staff behind the scene.

“It’s the culture of the club. Everyone gets on with everyone, and you can’t always say that in a football club. I’d never had that before.

“The players are true friends and real good people. That makes a big difference.”