Walsall complete loan signing of Charlton Athletic defender Nathan Asiimwe

The 20-year-old becomes the club's first arrival of the January transfer window after featuring three times for the Addicks in the EFL Trophy this term. 

The Ugandan also made five appearances on loan at National League side Hartlepool United earlier in the campaign.

Assimwe, who predominantly operates as a right wing-back, has played 28 times for the Addicks and registered three assists since making his senior debut in November 2022. 

He said: “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a couple of months now so the January window was an opportunity for me and I’m grateful this has landed on my doorstep and I’m ready to attack it.

"The team’s been doing really well and it is definitely extra motivation being in and around a dressing room of a team that’s really flying at the minute, it’s very good for my career and my development as a player to have these experiences so I’m buzzing to be in and around it.

“I work hard, I’m a very athletic player so I like to get up and down the pitch on either side – right or left back or right wing-back or left wing-back. I like to be forward thinking and have good quality in the final third as well as being solid in defence.”

Asiimwe is likely to provide competition for Connor Barrett, and possibly even Liam Gordon at left wing-back, and Mat Sadler revealed he has been tracking the youngster for some time. 

“I’ve been aware of Nathan for the past year or so,” boss Sadler said.

“He played lots of games in the 2023/24 season for Charlton in League One and since then, he’s been someone we’ve watched and been aware of.

“The opportunity came to sign him and we wanted to make sure we are fully stacked for the rest ofthe season and it was a deal I wanted to get done."

League Two leaders Walsall welcome Tranmere Rovers to Bescot in the lunch-time kick-off tomorrow.