Abioina Dele Lawal, 32 of no fixed address, was charged with rape on Wednesday, 2 February.
He was remanded to appear in custody at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 3 February.
Shortly after 18:28hrs on Sunday, 30 January, police received a report of a rape of a 15-year-old girl by a man near Elm Grove, SE15.
It was reported that she was walking past McDonald’s on Rye Lane when a man started speaking to her. He directed her along Elm Grove and finally to a small green area between Elm Grove and Bellenden Road, where it was reported he raped her.
The girl is being fully supported by specialist officers.