In July 2001, Charlton Athletic signed him for a club record fee of £4.75 million, bringing him back to the Premier League. He made his debut on 18 August in a 2–1 home defeat to Everton. His first goal for the Addicks came in the third round of the League Cup on 9 October in a 1–0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. His first league goal came on 20 October in a 1–1 draw with Derby County at Pride Park.