Youga pens new contract

Highly-rated Charlton defender Kelly Youga on Monday put pen to paper on a new contract with the Addicks until 2011.

The French left-back spent the first half of the season on loan at fellow Championship outfit Scunthorpe United, making 19 appearances for the Iron before returning to The Valley.

Upon his recall, the 22-year-old made his Addicks debut in an FA Cup third-round match against West Bromwich Albion and went on to feature in a further 12 league and cup games for Alan Pardew's side.

"Kelly is one of our up and coming young players and I have high hopes for him next season,” said Pardew.

"He gained good experience this season so we are pleased to secure him for the next three years. Hopefully he can continue to develop.”

Youga was one of two Addicks youngsters to pledge their future to the club after goalkeeper Rob Elliott sealed a two-year deal at the end of the previous week.

"We have a very promising band of young players at the club and I'm delighted to secure these two players' futures,” added Pardew.

The flamboyant-haired Youga lost his first-team spot to Ben Thatcher towards the end of the campaign as Addicks boss Pardew opted for a more experienced backline.

But Youga played the final game of the season - the 4-1 win over Coventry City in SE7 - and will now be looking to make the left-back slot his own next term.

Competition for a left-back berth will be fierce next season but Youga insists he does not worry about those players rivaling him for a first-team spot.

He recently said: "I know my quality and I know what I can do on the pitch. Even if we have 10 left-backs in the team, I will keep playing the way I'm playing.

"It doesn't scare me, I'm not afraid. I'll keep working hard in training and will do my best on the pitch. I need to keep my level high and then nothing can hurt me.”

Youga, who can also play in the centre of defence, was snapped up by Charlton on a free transfer from French Championnat winners Lyon in the summer of 2005.

He spent a period on loan with Bristol City but was hampered by a toe injury, before a similar switch to Bradford City in January 2007.