Rotherham United sell Ben Purrington to Charlton Athletic

The switch brings to an end a disappointing career at AESSEAL New York Stadium for the defender who was signed for £300,000 from Plymouth Argyle in January 2017.

The fee Charlton have paid the League One Millers is undisclosed but is believed to be in six figures.

Purrington never established himself in Paul Warne's first team. However, the left-back did well in a loan spell with the Addicks last season and helped them win promotion to the Championship.

The 23-year-old returned for pre-season training with Rotherham last week but talks were already taking place between the two clubs about a permanent deal.

Warne said last Thursday: "I'm not going to force Ben out. I like him, I've never not liked him. But if something comes in for Ben that he wants and the club want then I won't stand in his way."

Purrington was the first major signing under the reign of former head of recruitment Jamie Johnson and never managed to unseat Joe Mattock from the left-back berth for any length of time.

He leaves New York having made just 19 starts in his two-and-a-half year stay with the Millers.

"In my mind Joe Mattock has just been a little bit ahead of him," Warne added.

After agreeing a three-year contract, Purrington, who scored for Charlton in their Wembley League One Play-off Final win over Sunderland in May, has linked up with his new teammates on their pre-season trip to Malaga.

At least one other club were interested in him.

The player said on Charlton's website: "I can’t wait to get started. There is no better feeling than being back, especially after the unbelievable year we had last year."

Mattock has signed a 12-month contract extension with Rotherham who have also given a new deal to their left-back prospect, Akeem Hinds.

Centre-half Clark Robertson has experience of playing at left-back as well.

The Millers are expecting to make signings of their own this week before their seven-day training camp in Germany.

Released Rotherham centre-half Dominic Ball has signed for Queens Park Rangers.