TEENAGE striker Michael Smith became the latest Darlington youth team product to secure a move up into the Football League when he joined Charlton Athletic yesterday.

The 19-year-old has moved to The Valley for an undisclosed fee and in doing so follows Dan Burn in leaving Quakers after coming through the club’s youth setup.

Burn joined Fulham in the summer in a £325,000 move and is now earmarked as one for the future at Craven Cottage.

Smith is now much the same at League One Charlton who he chose ahead of several other interested clubs.

The teenager, who turns 20 in October, has signed a threeyear deal after turning down Birmingham City who also made a bid for the Newcastleborn forward.

Smith impressed when on trial at Charlton at the end of last season, around the same time Bristol City had bid of £80,000 rejected, and he also trained with Watford and Stoke as word spread of his potential.

He played only once this season but made 29 appearances in last year’s campaign during which he scored five goals in consecutive starts.

Quakers’ head of youth Craig Liddle has worked with him since he became part of the youth team as a 16-yearold, after he had trained with West Ham’s youth set-up, and he expects him to take his chance with Charlton.

“Going down there is a couple of levels up so the ball is in his court and I’m pretty sure, knowing him as I do as I’ve worked with him very closely over the last few years, he will make a real go of it.

“There’s no pressure on him down there to jump straight into the first team like there would be here. He’ll play for their reserves and under-21s and develop like a young player should.

“At our level we haven’t got that time, but at a bigger club they can let them develop so it’s a good move for Michael and a very good move for the club so I think everybody is really pleased for him and I’m chuffed for the club.”

Smith is the third player from Darlington’s youth setup to move on to better things recently as Curtis Main is now at Middlesbrough.

Whereas Main was released by Quakers manager Mark Cooper after struggling to make his mark after making his debut as a 15-year-old, Smith also was never guaranteed a first-team spot though he did score six goals in total.

The first came in a 2-0 win at Macclesfield during May 2010 – two days after then manager Simon Davey told him he was being released.

After that goal Davey reversed his decision, but Cooper has rated Smith since he took charge at the Arena soon after Davey’s departure in the summer of last year.

Cooper said: “It’s a good deal for us but, more importantly, it’s an excellent move for Michael.

“As with Dan Burn’s move to Fulham, it was important we did the right deal for all parties, and Michael is going to a club where he’s going to be looked after.

“Hopefully Charlton can develop Michael and fulfil his potential and he’ll go on to enjoy a good career in the game – we wish him all the best.”

Charlton boss Chris Powell said: “Michael’s a striker who came on trial with us at the end of last season and he’s one for the future.

“He’s one that we feel could develop into a traditional-type centre-forward.

“He’s a got a good touch, is aerially strong and is one we feel will come in contention after getting used to full-time football with us.

“He did impress us on trial and we’ve kept an eye on him, and a lot of clubs have been in for him. He’s been at Stoke and Birmingham on trial, so we’ve decided to bring him in.

“He’s not one we’ve just brought in on the spur of the moment; he’s been on our radar for a while. We are pleased to get him.”

Smith was not the only outgoing at the Arena yesterday as Tommy Wright has left by mutual consent.

A Davey signing, the striker was not in Cooper’s plans and an agreement on his contract, which ran until the end of this season, has been reached.

Though the transfer window has closed, for a period of time clubs are still able to sign free agents and Cooper has not ruled out bringing in reinforcements.

A 6ft 4in Spanish defender, who can play left-back and at centre-back, remains on trial.

On Saturday Darlington are at home to Mansfield Town who say they have turned down a bid from a League One club for defender Tom Nayor.