Amari’i Bell has linked back up with Nathan Jones to become Charlton’s fourth signing of the summer window and third in a week.
A Jamaican international with 28 caps, Bell is a left sided central defender who also played at wing back earlier in his career. The 31 year old is a product of Birmingham City’s youth academy who had successful loan spells with Nuneaton Borough and Kidderminster Harriers but only made one appearance for Birmingham. It was his move to Fleetwood Town in 2015 that kickstarted his career and he made 137 appearances for the Cod Army which earned him a transfer to then League One side Blackburn Rovers. He made 99 appearances and in 2018 helped Rovers get promoted in back to the Championship, where he played the majority of his games.
Nathan Jones then signed the defender to play for his Luton Town team in the summer of 2021. Bell amassed 157 appearances for The Hatters, including 21 during their brief stint in the Premier League. The 2024/25 season was an injury hit one for the Jamaican but he still made 39 appearances and played 3,084 minutes, on par with Lloyd Jones.
Bell is most likely coming in to provide competition with Macauley Gillesphey on the left side of the back three. He has previously played wing back but shifted inside after the emergence of former Addick Alfie Doughty at Luton Town. The defender's pace has proved to be one of his biggest assets and Jones will be hoping that reports from Hatters fans that he’s got slower in recent years prove to be unfounded. Bell rated well for recoveries and tackles won in the Championship last term. He was in the top 30% for both (per FotMob data) despite playing in a defence that struggled in terms of solidity.
Whether he comes in to start or just to challenge Gillesphey, it can only be a good thing to create some competition for places among our already strong defence. His 195 Championship appearances will also bring valuable experience to what is still a young squad which has played little Championship football.
Jones told the club website that
"Amari'i's someone I know well. I signed him at Luton and he did fantastically well for me. He knows how I want to play, he has Championship and Premier League experience, and he's a wonderful athlete with pace and power. He will add to the group and we're really delighted because left-sided centre-halves are very difficult to come by.”
Bell himself said” “It’s a fresh start for me and one that I’m looking forward to as Charlton are on the way back up. It’s another chance to work with Nathan who is a great manager that knows how to get the best out of his players, and he certainly does for me. It’s going to be a great time.”
Welcome to SE7, Amari’i!