Soccer: Charlton deal nothing like Chelsea one, says Knights boss

NZ Knights chairman Anthony Lee is adamant the agreement the club has entered into with English Premier League club Charlton Athletic is worlds apart from the so-called deal the old Football Kingz had with Chelsea FC.

Announcing the partnership with Charlton yesterday, Lee said compared with Kingz' arrangement with Chelsea, the two were chalk and cheese.

But he did admit that, just like the old deal which never appeared to go anywhere, it was unlikely Charlton players would turn out for the Knights any time soon in the Hyundai A-League.

"It is more likely to work the other way, with good players from our club getting their chance over there.

"They have been encouraged by what they have seen from Ryan Nelsen at Blackburn Rovers and want to have first right to any players from our club."

But even once the Knights' 20-player roster was full, there was provision for guest players outside that and for marquee players outside the salary cap.

Young players from the south London club were more likely to find themselves on the books of the North Harbour Stadium-based club, although they would not be leaving any gaps in their squad at this stage.

"The comprehensive partnership is not being done for the express purpose of getting players out here," said Lee.

"The main emphasis at this stage is for the NZ Knights to use their expertise in setting up our academy programme. This will entail personnel going both ways. We see great benefits in that."

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said the initiative was a great opportunity for young New Zealand players to find a path to soccer at the highest level.

The contract between the clubs will be signed by Lee, Seatter and Charlton officials at Charlton's The Valley ground on June 9, the day the All Whites play the Socceroos at Fulham's Craven Cottage.