West Ham legend Tony Cottee has described Charlton Athletic’s transfer move for Ricardo Vaz Te as “very good business”.

Vaz Te, who spent three years at Upton Park, joined the Addicks earlier this month in a deal which lasts until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old was a free agent after leaving Turkish side Akhisar Belediyespor in the summer.

Former West Ham striker Cottee, who scored 146 goals in 336 appearances for the east London club, is adamant that Vaz Te will be a success in south-east London.

The ex-England star told News Shopper: “I think he’s a good player. I followed his career while he was at West Ham and thought he was unlucky not to get a proper run in the team.

“He seemed to be in and out and perhaps didn’t get the run he deserved.

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“He scored the winner in the play-off final and got the club back to the Premier League so he’ll always have a soft spot in the hearts of West Ham fans.

“Once they got promoted he never really got the chance to shine on a regular basis, but there’s no doubt he’s a talented footballer and I’m sure he will do really well at Charlton.”

Vaz Te, a former Portugal U21 star, scored 22 goals in 40 Championship games for Barnsley and West Ham in the 2011-12 season.

Sky Sports commentator Cottee believes the forward’s experience and ability in the division will be invaluable.

“It’s a good signing for the club and hopefully he can score a few goals and push them up the table,” the 50-year-old added.

“To stay up in this league you need to find goals from somewhere and Charlton fans will be hoping he can contribute a few until the end of the season.

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“What’s important at this level is to have players with experience of the league.

“When you bring in players from Europe you’re taking a massive chance, but in Ricardo, Charlton have signed a player with experience and a lot of talent.

“It’s without a doubt very good business. In the Championship he’s proven he can score goals and that’s what Charlton need.”

Vaz Te was deployed in various positions by manager Sam Allardyce and prolific goal-scorer Cottee insists he will offer interim head coach Karel Fraeye plenty of options.

He said: “He’s very versatile and in a way that was his downfall at West Ham because instead of playing in one position he was used in numerous positions and couldn’t hold one of them down.

“He played across the front, out wide and up top.

“He can play well in all of those positions, though. The one thing he will give Charlton is plenty of options going forward.”

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