'Who I'm supposed to be' - Why midfielder feels ready to excel at Blackpool after Charlton Athletic exit

Karoy Anderson states he’s determined to give everything for Blackpool following the club’s determination to bring him back to Bloomfield Road.

On the back of a successful loan in the second half of last season, in which he featured 16 times, the midfielder has returned to the Fylde Coast on a permanent deal after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Charlton Athletic.

With a four-and-half year deal, with a 12-month option under his belt, the youngster is hoping to be part of a bright future in Tangerine, with the club’s persistence to sign him providing a spring in his step.

“It made me really happy knowing how much they wanted me here, but it also gives me the motivation to give everything,” he said.

“I showed that at the end of last season, but for the four years I’m here, I’m going to give my all knowing how much they wanted me to be here.

“I can come here, train, play games, and be confident to be who I’m supposed to be. It gives me the confidence to go and perform.

“In the position I was playing in, I had a bit more freedom to go and express myself to influence and impact the game. The main goal was to come here and show what I could do.”

Anderson will be hoping to resume the strong relationship he enjoyed with Jordan Brown at the heart of the Seasiders midfield.

The 21-year-old was a key component in the successful fight against relegation for Ian Evatt’s side, with his pairing with the former Leyton Orient figure proving beneficial for both players.

“It was really good,” he added.

“We had a good connection on the pitch. I’d played against him a few times, and liked the way he played. It was really good to know I was in midfield with such a good player.

“We all offer many different things, and it gives so much to the team. The differences all work together and it’s really good to have that balance.”

While Anderson is pleased to return to Blackpool, he admits it’s bittersweet to depart Charlton, having been at the Valley since an eight-year-old.

After rising through the Addicks ranks, the Jamaica international made 88 appearances for the Addicks first-team - including an appearance off the bench in their League One play-off final win back in 2025.

“It was difficult, I hadn’t moved away from home - other than a loan for a month when I was 18, it was all I really knew,” he stated.

“Wembley was a massive moment for me in terms of the players that were there, a lot were from my age group and we’d come through the ranks together, and got that opportunity to play there.

“I’ve got a lot of respect and gratitude for Charlton, it helped me become who I am today.

“The decision was hard in itself in terms of leaving what I’d known for so long, but it was easier knowing what type of club this is, and the people who work here. It was important to get it right, but it wasn’t too difficult to get it right.”