Jaiden Celestine-Charles seals move to Championship side Millwall FC

Jaiden Celestine-Charles. Photo: Burnham FC

--

Burnham striker Jaiden Celestine-Charles has been signed by Championship club Millwall FC and will play for their u21s side after scoring 16 goals for Ben Murray's Blues last season.

The Blues have lost a few key players from last season's squad, with Firas Chniba joining Mark Bartley's Marlow in the Southern League Premier South.

However, everyone at Burnham was delighted to hear that Celestine-Charles had been offered a contract at Millwall after impressing The Lions' management team in a pre-season trial.

In a post on social media this morning (Wednesday), Paul Butler, director at Burnham FC, said how ‘proud’ everyone was that Jaiden would be making the step up to a Championship level club.

He leaves with the club's blessing as progressing players - and seeing them move on to higher level outfits - is very much in the DNA of Burnham FC.

It is hoped that similar deals can be done for other talented members of the squad in the coming years as Burnham want to be seen as a club that can develop and progress young talent.

Jaiden was playing non-league step five level football last season, but Millwall were clearly impressed by his talent and potential and it's hoped he can step up to play for The Lions' first team in the Championship given time.

Millwall scouts came to watch Jaiden last year when he made 33 appearances for the Blues as they finished sixth in the Combined Counties Premier Division North table. Millwall were on the lookout for a new attacking winger or centre forward and a player profile was put together for Jaiden by his coach, mentor and agent Aaron Samuel.

With 16 goals for the Blues last season, he caught the eye of Millwall's head of emerging talents, Lucas Millgate and Jaiden was invited to London for a trial.

Despite spending some of the summer in Mexico, he followed a specific pre-season fitness plan which enabled him to hit the ground running in those trials for The Lions.

Jaiden has already been involved in training with the first team squad at Millwall in pre-season and starts his first game for their u21s against Burnley u21s at The Den next Tuesday, kick-off 2pm.

Burnham chairman, Glenn Skivington said: “Everyone at Burnham FC is delighted. We know how hard he works, so it’s well deserved, and we wish JC every success on his journey into professional football.”

Max Kilman made a similar move from Maidenhead United to Wolves u23s squad in 2018 and went on to become Wolves' club captain in the Premier League before securing a move to West Ham United this summer. Burnham will be keeping their fingers cross Jaiden can do something similar.

--

Edgware & Kingsbury 2, Burnham 5

Burnham produced an astonishing comeback against Edgware & Kingsbury last night (Tuesday) with Jabir Laraba netting a hat-trick in the 5-2 away win.

The Blues looked set for their second away defeat in the space of a few days when Eoin Kane (21') and Dachi Barbakadze (28') took advantage of some uncertain Burnham defending to put the hosts in control.

But their grip on the contest was loosened when Laraba cut in from the left and fired into the bottom corner before half-time and the Blues' attacking play went into overdrive in the second half as they scored four without reply.

Bright Siaw turned home their equaliser after 51 minutes and the home side's hopes crumbled in the aftermath.

Laraba scored his second with another clinical finish in the 64th minute before Adam Pollock headed into his own net in the 90th minute and another opportunistic strike from Laraba put the gloss on a positive night for the Blues.

The victory underscores Burnham's exciting attacking credentials this season and moves them up to 10th in the table going into their next scheduled league game at home to Egham Town on Saturday, August 24.