All Whites defender Tyler Bindon joins Charlton Athletic for new Championship challenge

New Zealand international Tyler Bindon will continue his development in the English Championship after completing a season-long loan move to Charlton Athletic from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

The 21-year-old centre-back was officially announced by the Addicks on Sunday and becomes the club’s ninth signing of the summer as manager Nathan Jones strengthens his squad for the 2026/27 campaign. Bindon arrives at The Valley following a full season at Sheffield United, where he made 26 appearances in all competitions during his first year playing at Championship level.

For Bindon, the move provides another opportunity to secure regular football in one of Europe’s most demanding second divisions while remaining under contract with Nottingham Forest. His parent club signed him from Reading in February 2025 after the young defender established himself as one of the standout emerging players in the English Football League.

“It’s a privilege to be here, and I’m excited to get started,” Bindon said after completing the move. “The way the gaffer talked aligned with what I want to do, and I like the vision of the club. Hopefully I can be a part of that in a positive way.”

Charlton manager Nathan Jones revealed that he had followed Bindon for some time and had previously attempted to sign the New Zealand defender. Injuries within the Addicks squad accelerated the club’s need to reinforce the position, but Jones made clear that Bindon was far from being simply a short-term solution.

“He had a fantastic time at Reading and then got the move to Nottingham Forest,” Jones said. “He’s a player that will add to us and improve our squad, so we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Bindon’s progress in England has been rapid. Born in Auckland, he began playing with East Coast Bays before moving with his family to California at the age of 12. He later developed through the Los Angeles FC academy before returning to the other side of the Atlantic to join Reading in 2023.

It was at Reading that Bindon began attracting wider attention. He quickly established himself at first-team level and was named the club’s Player of the Season for 2024/25, while also receiving a nomination for the EFL League One Young Player of the Season award. Nottingham Forest subsequently moved to secure his services, with loan spells becoming an important part of his pathway towards eventually challenging for Premier League football.

His development has occurred alongside an increasingly important role with New Zealand. Bindon made his senior international debut against DR Congo in October 2023 and has already accumulated 28 appearances for the All Whites despite being only 21. He was also part of New Zealand’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding experience at the highest international level to an already significant amount of senior club football for a player of his age.

That combination makes Bindon one of the most interesting members of the current New Zealand generation. While Chris Wood remains the most prominent Kiwi presence in English football, several younger All Whites are now attempting to establish themselves across strong European leagues. Bindon’s continued presence in the Championship gives him another season of regular high-level competition and keeps open the possibility of eventually breaking into Nottingham Forest’s Premier League plans.

Charlton, meanwhile, are strengthening considerably ahead of the new campaign. Bindon joins a summer recruitment class that also includes Ivan Mesík, Billy Koumetio, Karlan Grant, Danny McNamara, Millenic Alli, Nathaniel Chalobah, Timothy Ouma and Arthur Okonkwo.

His first opportunity to feature could come when Charlton host Queens Park Rangers at The Valley on 9 September.

For New Zealand, another season of meaningful minutes in England would be particularly valuable. At only 21, Bindon has already travelled from Auckland to California, Reading, Nottingham, Sheffield and now south London. The next stage of that journey begins at Charlton, with the All Whites defender continuing to build a career that increasingly places him among New Zealand’s most significant young players abroad.