Charlton sign ex-Tottenham midfielder

Friday, August 17, 2012
11:22 AM

Transfer news: Dorian Dervite-Vaussoue joins Championship club

Charlton Athletic boss Chris Powell has today strengthened his squad ahead of the start of the 2012/13 Championship season by recruiting former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Dorian Dervite-Vaussoue.

The 24-year-old ex-France youth international has been on trial at The Valley during pre-season, and particularly caught the eye in a friendly against Crawley Town.

He has signed a one-year contract, and, subject to international clearance being received, should be eligible for the season-opener against Birmingham City on tomorrow.

Powell said: “We’re delighted to get Dorian on board and he will enhance our squad.

“He has done very well during his trial period, and we feel he will bring extra quality to our ranks. We’re very pleased and look forward to working with him.”

Dervite started his career with French club Lille, and has represented his country at U15-U21 level, featuring in the U21 European Championships and the Toulon International Tournament.

In July 2006, he switched to England to join Spurs’ academy, and made his debut for the north London club the following November in a Carling Cup match.

That proved to be his only appearance for Spurs, however, and in January 2009 Dervite began a successful loan spell with Southend United that saw him voted the club’s player of the year runner-up even though he only featured for the final four months of the campaign.

Dervite, who has been given the number 19 shirt, joined Villarreal in August 2010, and played 23 league games for Villarreal B over the past two seasons.

The cultured centre-half, who captained the France U18 side, also featured for the Addicks during pre-season in matches against Gillingham and Bromley.

Charlton’s fourth signing of the summer after Jordan Cook, Lawrie Wilson and Salim Kerkar, Dervite will compete for a central defensive role with Michael Morrison, Matt Taylor, Leon Cort and Yado Mambo.