Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes he will fit right in with the Charlton "family" next season.

The former Holland striker, 34, has signed a 12-month contract with the Addicks after being released by Middlesbrough.

Hasselbaink initially had talks with Celtic but after they broke down, the south-east London club moved quickly to tie up a deal, having also been close to signing the striker during the January transfer window.

New Charlton manager Iain Dowie hopes the former Leeds, Athletico Madrid and Chelsea frontman can help bring on Darren Bent, who finished last season as the top English goalscorer in the Barclays Premiership.

Hasselbaink cannot wait to get started - but warned he is not the man to single-handedly transform Charlton into UEFA Cup contenders.

"I am definitely not going to be able to do it by myself, but we have to have a real family team," the Dutchman declared.

"That is up to the manager to get that and I am sure he will.

"If we get that, then we will definitely go to places we want to go."

Hasselbaink could have moved back abroad, but the veteran striker always wanted to continue his career in England.

He said: "There was a lot of interest from overseas, but I wanted to stay in the Premiership.

"For me, that was the most important thing and it was a very easy decision."

Hasselbaink maintains he harbours no ill feeling towards his former club, now under the guidance of his one-time team-mate Gareth Southgate.

He reflected: "With Middlesbrough, they are not in the UEFA Cup this year and Gareth had three good strikers, I was the only one out of contract, and so it was easier for him to make that choice to let me go because he needed all the money to strengthen in other areas.

"He was very honest, and I really appreciate that.

"We are still in contact and in this world, you have to take things on the chin and move on.

"Now, at this moment in time it is all about Charlton, and that is the most important thing.

"I want to do the best for this club and achieve things which Charlton have not achieved yet.

"I am definitely thinking we can do that, otherwise I would not have signed."

Dowie, meanwhile, was delighted to have landed a player of Hasselbaink's quality as he continues to re-model the squad following the departure of long-serving boss Alan Curbishley last season.

"He brings quality and is still as hungry as he ever was," the former Northern Ireland striker declared.

"You want to be stretched and tested as a manager, to be able to tell someone like Jimmy what he is doing right or wrong on the training ground.

"If you cannot learn from watching Jimmy, then there is something wrong with you as a coach.

"Also if I am not teaching Jimmy something, I should not be here.

"He was full of youthful enthusiasm, and saying he wanted to learn.

"I did not need to know what qualities Jimmy had a player, and as soon as I met him as a man, he was an impressive character around the place.

"There were a number of clubs who wanted Jimmy - anyone who would not want a 17-goal man in their forward line would be mad. But he is our player now and are delighted to have him.

"There is no reason why he cannot be here longer than a year and become part of the furniture."

Chairman Richard Murray revealed Hasselbaink had not made excessive wage demands, which enabled a deal to be done.

While Addicks fans may now be dreaming of a charge for the European places spearheaded by the Dutchman alongside their England striker, Murray noted: "I think it is wrong if we are saying 'can we get into the top six because Jimmy has joined us?'

"I can assure you the Tottenhams, Evertons and Aston Villas of this league all want to get into the top six.

"We are up against all of those, and we will do our best."