CHARLTON have completed the signing of Uruguayan international defender Gonzalo Sorondo from Inter Milan.

The Addicks have landed the 25-year-old centre back on a one-year loan deal, with an option to sign him permanently when the year is up.

The deal was finalised on Thursday after the player, who caught manager Alan Curbishley's eye while on loan at rivals Crystal Palace last season, was granted a work permit at a London tribunal.

Stipulations ruled that Sorondo had to be out of the country at the time of the hearing, but the player has returned to link up with his new team-mates.

Sorondo becomes Charlton's sixth summer signing, following the arrival at The Valley of Darren Bent, Kelly Youga, Darren Ambrose, Chris Powell and Jonathan Spector.

Curbishley also plans to sign Chelsea's Russian midfielder Alexei Smertin on loan for the season.

Smertin and his family are settled in London and he is thought to favour a move to Charlton in order to play more first team football.