Charlton Athletic and Bristol Rovers incredible January target made free agent

League One’s prolific striker Jonson Clarke-Harris has been released by Peterborough United, just months after a dramatic January transfer saga involving Charlton Athletic and Bristol Rovers. The 29-year-old forward, who has netted an impressive 107 goals in League One, now finds himself seeking a new challenge as his contract with Peterborough comes to an end.

Clarke-Harris enjoyed significant success with The Posh, topping the scoring charts twice between 2021 and 2023 and making 190 appearances for the club. This season, he scored 13 goals but saw his team’s promotion hopes dashed in the play-off semi-finals. Despite being transfer-listed a year ago, a move never materialized, even with considerable interest and several bids from other clubs.

Peterborough’s manager, Darren Ferguson, praised Clarke-Harris, describing him as an “incredible signing” and acknowledging his substantial contributions to the team. Ferguson noted that the decision to release Clarke-Harris was influenced by a desire to take the team in a new direction. He wished Clarke-Harris well, expressing confidence that the striker would find a suitable new club.

Clarke-Harris was close to joining Bristol Rovers last summer in what would have been a club-record transfer, but the deal fell through at the last moment. This January, Charlton Athletic made a strong push to sign him, submitting bids of £450,000 and £500,000, both of which were accepted. However, Clarke-Harris ultimately rejected two contract offers from Charlton, preferring to leave Peterborough as a free agent.

Peterborough’s Director of Football, Barry Fry, expressed his disappointment over Clarke-Harris turning down the offers, believing the striker might be overestimating the financial benefits of leaving on a free transfer. Fry highlighted the financial struggles of many clubs, suggesting that Clarke-Harris might not find a better offer elsewhere.

As Clarke-Harris embarks on the next chapter of his career, he leaves behind a notable legacy at Peterborough United, where he proved to be a key player and fan favorite. His future moves will be closely watched by those who have followed his prolific scoring and impactful presence in League One.