CHARLTON have received a huge boost with the news that captain Luke Young has committed his future to the club.

The 26-year-old had been linked with a move to Premiership rivals West Ham, but head coach Iain Dowie says the defender has pledged his future to the Addicks.

Dowie had made securing Young's future his number one priority.

He told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to get the situation resolved, he's a key player for us."

Last season Young stepped up into the England squad and has become Charlton's most-capped England international.

He made seven appearances under Sven-Goran Eriksson, but was only on the stand-by list for this summer's World Cup in Germany.

* Full story in this week's Bexley Extra.