CHARLTON ATHLETIC have announced the shock exit of club captain Greg Docherty – less than 24 hours after the transfer window slammed shut.
The Addicks, who were watched by former defender Ezri Konsa during their win over Preston on Saturday, have made a stunning start to the Championship season.
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And Charlton are set to have the chance to surge back to the top of the table when they head to West Brom tonight.
But Docherty, 29, will not be involved in the showdown after having his contract ripped up.
The midfielder joined the Londoners from now-Premier League side Hull City two years ago.
Docherty went on to skipper Charlton to League One play-off glory at the end of his first season at the Valley.
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And the former Scotland Under-21s star was honoured to wear the armband before being given the green light to leave as a free agent.
He said: “To be named captain of such an iconic football club was nothing short of a privilege. I felt the weight and expectation that title carries.
“But I can wholeheartedly say I gave my absolute all to represent the club properly every single day with the upmost respect that I felt it deserved through the good and the bad moments.
“I’ll always be grateful for my time at Charlton and everything the club has given me, but football moves fast I’m now excited to see what the future holds.”
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Docherty notched five goals and six assists in 90 appearances for the Addicks.
But the ex-Rangers man’s only outing this season came in the Carabao Cup thrashing at Tottenham last week.
And Charlton chief Nathan Jones revealed Docherty had his deal torn up after deciding a lack of action would be on offer.
The Welshman added: “Doc, from the moment that I met him, was everything that I believed he was.
“He’s a leader, an unbelievable pro and he should take his rightful place in the history of Charlton Athletic.
“He captained the football club through a tough time to promotion in his first season.
“And then he was instrumental in pretty much all of the wins we had in the Championship last season. We needed our captain, he showed up.
“The tough thing is, we want to evolve, we want to improve on every level and it meant that Doc’s game time was probably going to be more limited than he wanted.
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“We had open conversations around that and felt that this was the best way forward.
“Doc has been an inspirational captain and he’s been wonderful to deal with every day. I cannot speak highly enough of him.
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“He leaves the club with masses and masses of respect, with our thanks and our gratitude and with a real heavy heart because we’re going to miss him.
“We thank him for everything. He gave us, and certainly gave me, one of the greatest days I’ve ever had, at Wembley. I wish him all the best, he’s always welcome back at this football club.”