OUT-OF-FAVOUR Clarets defender Leon Cort has joined League One Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan.

The 31-year-old became former manager Brian Laws’ first signing during the January transfer window of Burnley’s Premier League campaign, but the £1.5million capture from Stoke City has never featured under Eddie Howe.

Cort was on loan with Preston North End when Howe was appointed in January this year, but failed to impress the Clarets boss after returning to Turf Moor for pre-season.

After securing his latest loan deal, South London-born Cort, who is contracted to Burnley until the summer of 2013, said: “I’m delighted to join Charlton.

"It’s a fantastic move for me. Charlton is a massive club and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“When I found out they were interested in me I was interested straight away.

"It’s a club with real ambition and it’s always nice to have someone wanting you.”