Charlton club director Steve Gallen has revealed that Lyle Taylor is the best signing he has made since joining the Addicks towards the end of the 2016/17 season.

Taylor was signed by the Addicks in the summer of 2018 and he was an integral figure as the South London side secured promotion from League One last term, with the forward scoring a total of 25 goals during a memorable campaign.

The 29-year-old also made a blistering start to life in the Championship this term by netting five times in his first six league games, but he has been out of action since late August with a knee injury problem.

This has prevented the Montserrat international from contributing to Lee Bowyer's side's efforts this term, but Charlton are still just about sitting in the top half of the table as they eagerly await Taylor's return to the side in the near future.

Speaking to the club's Supporters' Trust, Gallen has now admitted that Taylor was the best signing he has made at The Valley, while he also believes his recruitment at the club has earned him the trust of Thomas Driesen, who works as an analyst for Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet.

"We are in a good place with him [Driesen] now and he trusts us," he said.

"He's seen the players we've brought in – Cullen, Bielik and Taylor. Lyle Taylor is the best signing we've made. The second signing was Darren Pratley, who at 34 is getting better."

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The Verdict

It is hard to disagree with Gallen's claim given the significant impact Taylor had on Charlton's promotion effort this term, while he will surely help improve the club's fortunes when he returns from his current injury lay-off.

Charlton will have been delighted with Taylor's contribution since joining the club from AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2018, and the Addicks should feel lucky to have the 29-year-old in their side during the peak years of his career.

It will be interesting to see how much of a boost he gives his side when he makes his long-awaited comeback, while there will be plenty of Charlton fans eager to see him feature alongside fellow striker Macauley Bonne in an attacking set-up.