Tony Watt joined Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven on the weekend, ending his turbulent two-and-a-half-year spell with Charlton.

Despite a bright start to his Valley career after signing in January 2015, Watt failed to hold down a regular starting spot.

He was shipped out on loan to Cardiff, Blackburn and Hearts.

And here is what each Charlton manager said about him…

Bob Peeters, January 2015:

“He’s a striker who will add something to our team.

“He’s a guy who can score goals, he has a lot of pace and although he's only 21 he has a lot of experience already and has played in the Champions League.

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Bob Peeters

“He didn't have his best period at Standard Liege, but I think now that he’s back in a country where they speak English, and he feels at ease, he can do the job.”

Watt only played one game for Peeters, making his Charlton debut against Brighton as a substitute.

It was under Peeters’ successor, Guy Luzon, where Watt enjoyed his most prolific spell for the Addicks, scoring five goals in the second half of the 2014/15 campaign.

But alleged off-the-field problems arose in pre-season as Watt was benched for Charlton’s season opener with QPR. The Scotland striker was subbed on at half-time and changed the game by scoring and assisting both of the Addicks’ two goals.

Guy Luzon, August 2015:

“The change to bring Tony on changed the game - he was brave in attack and showed his qualities.

“He didn’t start because of something that happened in training, but I know he had the skill to change the game.

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Guy Luzon

“He accepted it, because when the coach makes the decision he has to – when we needed him he performed.

“There’s no doubt about his talent, and I’m sure he’ll be pivotal this season and I won’t be fining him.”

Luzon was sacked in October, and replaced by Karel Fraeye, who loaned Watt to Cardiff just a month later.

Karel Fraeye, November 2015:

“It was very easy [to loan Watt to Cardiff].

“When I came in Tony played, he then picked up an injury and since then we won two games in a row.

“It’s clear that Tony needs games and needs to play. Cardiff came in and we allowed him to get his games there.”

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Karel Fraeye

Watt’s three-month loan spell with Cardiff ended, and he returned to the Valley in January.

Deciding whether to keep Watt was Jose Riga’s first decision as Charlton boss. And after saying he only wanted committed players at the club, Riga loaned him out to Blackburn for the rest of the campaign.

Jose Riga, January 2016:

“It is difficult to say [if Watt would be loaned out again] but for me I repeat what I have said before, we know Tony.

“He of course has the abilities to be decisive.

“His football skills I have no doubt about, after that I cannot always master what his intentions are.

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Jose Riga

“If he’s fully committed with us then of course. He needs to be fully involved in what we need to do.”

Charlton’s season ended in relegation from the Championship, and Russell Slade was tasked with getting the club back up at the first attempt.

But he would try, unsuccessfully, without Watt, who joined Hearts on a season-long loan.

Russell Slade, July 2016:

“In the end, it was the best move for him.

“With the injury he’s had and the moving about he’s had recently, it was the best move for Tony Watt to go and play some football there, to try and get his mojo back and to get back on track really.

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Russell Slade

“He’s playing for a club 25 minutes from his house and he needs to go up there and do very well.”

Watt’s loan was cut short in January, and he returned under Karl Robinson’s management. Once again, he was in and out of the first-team as Charlton finished 13th in League One.

He got himself fit in pre-season and publicly said he was looking forward to helping the Addicks this season.

Karl Robinson, August 2017:

“He’s come back in ridiculously good shape. He looks a million dollars and he’s worked hard in the summer.

“At the moment, we’ve fended off a lot of interest.

“It’s got to be right for Tony, and it’s got to be right for Charlton Athletic. Once it’s right for everybody then a decision will be made.

“But with Tony Watt’s attitude to work hard, I can’t ask for any more. He’s a different player since he’s come back.”

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Charlton boss Karl Robinson | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

And Robinson confirmed Watt’s departure after Charlton’s 2-0 defeat to Plymouth on Saturday.

“Tony has moved on. It’s something he wanted so he wanted a fresh start. I’ve said all along, it’s his decision and it’s his prerogative.”

When asked whether Robinson would have liked to keep the former Celtic man, he added: “That will stay internal.

“It was one of those ones where he felt it was best for his career to leave and he wanted a new challenge. It’s what he wanted to do.

“With Tony, we wish him luck and it’s a decision that he had to make, but we’re starting to get rid of players who have been here for a long period of time and we’re starting to clean an awful lot of things out.”