WANDERERS have struck early in the January window by completing the signing of striker Dion Charles from Accrington Stanley.

It is understood that the Northern Ireland international joins the Whites for £320,000 – making him only the second cash signing in seven years at the club.

Charles has signed a contract until 2025 but will not be available for this afternoon’s game against Rotherham United.

The 26-year-old has six caps for his country and boasts a decent scoring record at League One level, netting 20 times last season for Stanley.

He began his career at Blackpool and played under ex-Wanderers skipper Kevin Davies at Southport before arriving at Stanley in 2019 and scoring nine times in his first full season in the EFL.

During that season he also netted against Bolton in a heavy 7-1 defeat at the Wham Stadium under Keith Hill’s charge.

Ian Evatt was delighted to welcome him to the UniBol.

“Dion is a player I’ve been aware of for a long, long time,” he said.

“He dropped into non-league but has proved and fought and got his way back into the system and into League One and scored a hatful of goals for Accrington last season.

“He was touted to have some really big money moves which, fortunately for us, didn’t come off.

“We have managed to get him over the line and bring him in as one of the first players we’ve paid money for in a long time, which is a huge statement of where this club is right now and credit must go to the board, investors and Sharon and everyone who has played a part in that.

“We are excited to have him on board. Dion is a finisher, has terrific pace, terrific movement and relentlessly runs in behind and works defenders.

“He’s a player that we’re really looking forward to working with and seeing what the future holds.”

Charles takes on the number 10 shirt at Wanderers.

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