Simple answer - the first signing of the summer.
Slightly more descriptive answer - a 24 year old midfielder signed following the expiration of his contract at League One Blackpool.
Carey is a product of the Norwich City academy but he wasn't offered a scholarship by his home town club and instead started his senior career in non-league playing for Step 9 Wroxham and then National League side Kings Lynn. He jumped up three levels to The Championship when he signed for Blackpool as a twenty year old in 2021 and the seaside town was his home for the next four seasons.
Over his time with Blackpool Carey racked up 116 League appearances, 48 of which came in the Championship. The 2024/25 season was a standout one for the midfielder who scored 11 goals in all competitions. Towards the end of the season Blackpool manager Steve Bruce opted to play Carey in a more advanced role which he seemed to thrive in.
One of Carey’s best attributes is an ability to find pockets of space, carry the ball forward and get a shot off. From a statistical point of view Carey was in the top 3% of midfielders in League One 2024/25 for shots, shots on target, goals, and expected goals per 90 minutes (according to FotMob data). He was also in the top 15% for successful dribbles and touches in the opposition box.
One conundrum Nathan Jones will have to work is out is how to deal with Carey’s tendency to drift out to the left wing. This space is often occupied by Tyreece Campbell and Josh Edwards so we will have to see if Campbell plays more towards the right or if Jones is happy for his attack to be slightly lopsided. Much of this decision will come down to the right wing back brought in to replace Thierry Small, who has departed for Preston North End.
On his arrival Carey told the club, "I’m delighted, from the minute I had a call with the gaffer I knew straight away that this was the place for me, his aspirations for the club and the vision that he has are unmatched. I’m delighted that Charlton are back in the Championship, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Nathan Jones commented “Sonny is a player I’ve known for a while. He’s done well at Blackpool, he’s had a few seasons in the Championship and finished last season strongly. He’s 24 years of age, so has plenty of scope to improve, he’s athletic, he’s a ball-carrier, he can create, he can score, so those things add to what we’ve already got here. We always want our midfielders to chip in [with goals], our midfielders this year have and we want to add that competition and keep moving forward as a team and as a group.”