CHARLTON prepared for life without top-scorer Darren Bent by paying Crewe £2.5 million for their 25-goal leading scorer Luke Varney.

The 24-year-old striker has signed a four-year contract and looks certain to form a new strike partnership with Chris Iwelumo who arrives at The Valley on a free transfer from Colchester United.

Last season, the 28-year-old, 6ft 3in Scot scored 18 Championship goals in helping make the U's the Division's surprise package.

With Bent linked to a host of leading Premier League clubs, and expected to leave at any time, manager Alan Pardew responded with the double signing before going on holiday.

He said: "Luke is an exciting young player, and perfectly fits the mould of a Charlton player. He's diligent, intelligent, quick and will get even better.

"We've beaten off stiff competition from both Premiership and Championship clubs to sign him and I would like to thank the board for backing my judgement on him."

Iwelumo is well known to Charlton assistant boss Phil Parkinson who signed him during his time in charge at Colchester from German side Alemania Aachen in July, 2005.

He scored 19 goals in his first season to help Colchester to promotion to the Championship. Coatbridge-born Iwelumo is hoping a move to Charlton will improve his prospects of an international call-up for Scotland. He has agreed three-year contract.

"Chris has a great goalscoring record, and the fact he's a free transfer is because he's out of contract and that represents fantastic business for the club," Pardew added. "He's at the prime of his career and is a big target man.

"In the Championship, you must have a player of that type and I hope his improvement continues under myself and Phil Parkinson here at Charlton."