AFC Fylde is delighted to announce the signing of striker Luke Charman for a club-record fee from Sky Bet League Two side Rochdale AFC.

Luke arrives at Mill Farm on a two-year deal, bolstering an already potent Coasters attack even further. 

A player who possesses a real eye for goal, the 24-year-old began his career at Newcastle United, signing for the Magpies when he was just fifteen before securing a two-year scholarship when he was sixteen. 

After initially being informed that he would be released at the end of his scholarship, Newcastle had a change of heart, and Charman signed his first professional contract in 2017, making his first competitive debut in an EFL Trophy fixture. He went on to captain Newcastle United’s U23s before being released at the end of the 2019/20 season.

In July 2020, Charman signed for fellow National League side Darlington FC. Last season, he scored 12 goals in 16 appearances, which earned him a move to League Two side Rochdale AFC in the January transfer window. 

Following Luke’s short spell with the Greater Manchester side, the Coasters have moved to secure his signature for the remainder of the National League North season and beyond.

David Haythornthwaite, Club Chairman added: “Luke has been on our radar for some time, so we are absolutely delighted to get this deal over the line. 

“We thought we had his signature back in January when we exercised an option in his contract with Darlington but lost out at the last minute to Rochdale, which was obviously a better option for Luke at that time. Unfortunately for Luke, things haven’t panned out as he might have expected, so when the opportunity came again, we had no hesitation. 

“In this regard, I’d like to put on record our thanks to Rochdale for their professionalism in making this happen. I’m sure Luke will soon pick up where he left off in the NLN and will quickly become a fan’s favourite.

“He isn’t the final piece in the jigsaw this season but certainly a massive one, and subject to the transfer being registered in time, Luke will be in the squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Kidderminster.”