Ollie Muldoon hopes to follow in the footsteps of several fellow academy graduates and break into the Charlton first-team this season.

A host of players have progressed through Charlton’s youth system in the past few years and become regulars in the first-team.

Muldoon has featured prominently in the Addicks’ pre-season schedule and the 21-year-old wants to continue pressing Russell Slade for a shot at first-team football.

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When asked by News Shopper whether the progress of players such as Jordan Cousins, Callum Harriott and Joe Gomez act as inspiration, Muldoon said: “Definitely – you look at them and you see what they’ve done and where they are now.

“Ade is still with us – thank God – but players develop here and you do get a chance so hopefully it’s my turn this year.

“I feel like I could settle in this position very well. I’ve played centre-midfielder since I was a kid and hopefully I can carry on doing what I’m doing and see where it takes me.”

Hornchurch-born Muldoon added: “Hopefully I can get on the gaffer’s good side. I think he likes the way I play so I’ve just got to keep knocking on the door.

“If I knuckle down and graft and keep doing the things Russell wants to see, I don’t think there’s any reason why I can’t play for the first-team.”

Muldoon signed his first professional deal with Charlton in 2013 and is rated highly by the club’s coaches.

He spent the second-half of last season on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge and believes his time spent with the Daggers helped develop his game.

“That loan spell really brought me out of my shell,” Muldoon said.

“It gave me that experience of men’s football that I needed and made me turn from a boy into a man really.”

Despite enjoying his time with the former League Two club, Muldoon hopes to stay in SE7 this year and work with Slade.

He added: “Personally I want to break into the Charlton team this year. I haven’t really set my sights on going out on loan.

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“My focus is on staying here and to keep knocking on the gaffer’s door and try to progress and get in the team.

“The gaffer’s been great so far. It’s been so much better, everyone’s enjoyed being here and I look forward to going to training every day.

News Shopper:

“He’s brought a real good feel around the club, he’s doing everything right so there’s no reason why we can’t get promoted.”

Muldoon played 90 minutes in the pre-season stalemate at Leyton Orient on Saturday, featuring alongside Johnnie Jackson.

The youngster insists time spent on the pitch with the Charlton skipper is invaluable.

“It was a tough game, especially with the weather. It was very scrappy and we weren’t at it at all really,” Muldoon said.

“We need to be much better than that. We stayed off them and were too deep.

“It’s great to play alongside Jacko. Every time I play with him he just talks you through the game and that makes it a lot easier for me.

“As a captain as well, I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

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