Bikey excited to begin new challenge

André Bikey-Amougou is excited to begin a new challenge after joining Charlton on a two-year deal on Wednesday.

André Bikey-Amougou is excited to embark on a new challenge after joining Charlton on a two-year deal on Wednesday.

The powerful defender became Bob Peeters’ fourth summer signing after impressing the new Head Coach during a trial period with the club.

And the former Cameroon international is raring to go as he counts down the days until the start of the 2014/15 season.

“I’m really excited to begin the season,” said Bikey.

“We’ll see what will happen. The Championship is really, really hard ; it’s a very difficult league so I hope that we can be 100% ready for the beginning of the season.”

The former Reading and Burnley defender had spent a season away from English football with Panetolikos in the Greek Superleague.

And, having Premier League experience with both the Royals and the Clarets, he revealed his delight at being given the opportunity to return to England and to be part of a new era at The Valley.

“I’ve been away but I had the opportunity to come back here and I’m happy to be back. It feels nice."

“I hope that the new challenge and the new chapter of the club will be alright. That’s the most important thing now.”

Bikey travelled with the first-team squad to Belgium last weekend and impressed during the Addicks’ 0-0 draw with Sint-Truiden in the Philips Stayen Cup.

And the 29-year-old believes the trip was a good way to start preparations for the upcoming campaign.

“It was good, everybody was happy,” explained Bikey.

“But the most important thing was the fitness."

“The manager tries to build a new team now with some new players so it’s not easy. We went down there to have a bit of fun and to train as well and now we come back here to keep going and finish the job to be ready for the season.”

Meanwhile, Charlton’s newest recruit feels his experience of the second-tier can be vital as he vows to give his all to the Addicks’ cause.

He said : “I will bring what I know – I will try to help the team and try to give my best and to get a good result and to get in the play-offs and get promotion if it’s possible."

“But we can’t do that alone, we need everyone to be ready for that. If only one or two of us are ready we can’t do anything."

“I’ll work hard. I’ll bring my experience, give 100 percent every game, bring everything I know and everything I can do to help the team and be successful at the end of the season.”