Charlton Athletic owner Thomas Sandgaard has claimed that the south London club were close to administration before his takeover was completed last month. 

The Danish businessman became the Addicks' new owner in September after months of uncertainty about the future of the club.

Speaking to journalist Justin Allen, Sandgaard has revealed the severity of the situation that the south London club were in before he became the owner last month.

He said: "It was just a few days, a couple of days from full administration. I'm not kidding. That's real.

"Of course everybody was trying to hold their own and make sure they put on a good face to the outside world but it was literally just a couple of days."

Charlton have faced a plethora of off-field issues this year, including a boardroom civil war, an EFL investigation, and relegation from League One.

The south London club were under a transfer embargo for much of 2020 but that has been lifted since Sandgaard took over, with a significant number of new signings joining Lee Bowyer's squad over the last few weeks.

On the pitch, Charlton have made a slow start to life back in the third tier winning just once and taking only four points from their first four games.

Due to the international break, Bowyer's men's next game will come next weekend when they face Wigan at the Valley.

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The Verdict

Sandgaard's comments have revealed just how dire the situation was at Charlton before his takeover last month.

The Danish businessman has made all the right noises about his plans for the club but he now has to back up those words.

The deals the club have done in the transfer window so far would suggest he is going to do that.