How £30m Charles became Northern Ireland's most expensive footballer
After he became Northern Ireland's most expensive player, BBC Sport NI looks at the rise of Shea Charles, from Manchester City's academy to Fulham's £30m man.
Shea Charles, a 22-year-old midfielder, has become Northern Ireland's most expensive footballer after completing a £30 million transfer from Southampton to Premier League side Fulham. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Charles has shown immense talent since joining Manchester City's academy as a seven-year-old. He quickly progressed through the ranks, showcasing his exceptional skills on the ball during his time at Manchester City.
Despite turning 18 in 2022, Charles was selected for Northern Ireland's national team, demonstrating his international potential. He made his debut as a late substitute against Greece and has since been a key player for Michael O'Neill's team, missing only three matches since 2022. Charles' development was aided by his time at Manchester City, where he trained alongside world-class players like Rodri and Fernandinho.
However, he chose to sign with Southampton after leaving City, which led to his promotion back to the Premier League. Charles has since gone on to make 32 appearances for Southampton and has also contributed significantly to the team with six goals. His international career has seen him achieve great success, including a goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals and a goal against Liverpool in the EFL Cup.
With Southampton currently in the Championship, it remains to be seen if Charles will eventually make the move to Fulham and further establish himself as one of Northern Ireland's most expensive footballers.
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