Ricky Holmes says he never wanted to leave Charlton amid Sheffield United interest earlier this summer.

The Blades failed with two bids to sign Holmes, who scored 13 goals in his debut season in SE7.

And the winger ended any doubts about his Addicks future by putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal on July 10.

Now, Holmes is happy with the direction Charlton are going in ahead of their League One opener with Bristol Rovers.

He said: “I obviously looked at the Sheffield United offer because you always have to. I was getting offered Championship football, but then I was also happy with probably the best football I’ve played at Charlton.

“So I knew everything would work out in the end. I wasn’t trying to leave I was just saying ‘now, reward me’ and they have so fair play to Charlton.

“The club have done it with everyone so far. Even the owner and Katrien [Meire], they’re pushing in the same direction as us players and it feels like we’re a unit again and we are all heading in the same direction.”

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Holmes, 30, will be fighting with summer signings Billy Clarke, Tariqe Fosu and Mark Marshall for a starting berth.

The former Portsmouth man, who was named Charlton’s Player of the Year last season, is impressed with the club’s transfer business.

He added: “The signings we’ve made are class. Billy is a great footballer and he plays the way we want to play.

“Marshy, I played with him at Barnet and he’s the best winger in the league on his day. He’s going to be like a new signing when he comes back fresh.

“Tariqe can tear defenders apart, too. And [Ahmed] Kashi will be the best number six in the league. Everything looks bright.”