Three days after the announcement that West Ham and Stephen Henderson had agreed to cancel the player’s contract, Henderson signed a three-year deal at The Valley.

The move had been widely anticipated and Henderson will compete with Nick Pope for the first team berth.

The 26-year-old former Irish Under-21 international had this to say after completing his deal at The Valley:

“I’m very excited and can’t wait to get started.

“I’m delighted to get it done. It was a pretty sharp move and I’m very happy to be here,” said Henderson before explaining that goalkeeping coach, Ben Roberts, was a major factor in his decision to move to Charlton, “I worked with Ben about three years ago and he is without doubt one of the best goalkeeping coaches that I have ever worked with.

“He was a massive factor in me signing and I can’t wait to get working with him and the other goalkeepers.

“Ben is a great man and I found his sessions really useful. I did really well under him at Yeovil and we had a great relationship. Hopefully we can carry that on.”

The Valley’s summer facelift also impressed the new arrival:

“It certainly looks a lot different from when I played here last.

“The pitch looks immaculate but I know the ground well. I have played here a few times and I know that there is usually a good atmosphere here.

“I’m looking forward to calling it home soil and hopefully no one will hold that Ipswich result against me.”

“It is going to be difficult but we have made eight signings now and I expect us to be up there.

“I am quite ambitious and I’ll do everything I can to try and get the team as high up the league as we can.

“I have heard great things about the manager that has come in, so the foundations are there and now it is about getting down and doing it.

“Everybody is in it together; fans, team and management.”

Henderson will find one familiar face in the changing room when he arrives. Former Portsmouth teammate, Tal Ben Haim, is another recent arrival. Henderson concluded by paying the defender this compliment:

“Tal is a good lad and a good player. He’s obviously really experienced in English football. His career speaks for itself and he is a great signing.”

With Nick Pope not being keen on the number, Henderson will probably be given squad number one.

Henderson is the eighth senior signing of the summer and Bob Peeters will be hoping to make further additions to his squad in the near future.