Shea Charles

Shea Emmanuel Charles (born 5 November 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Southampton. Born in England, he represents the Northern Ireland national team.

Shea Emmanuel Charles was born on 5 November 2003 in Manchester. He is of Northern Irish descent through his mother. He joined the Manchester City academy as a seven year old.

Progressing through the City youth teams, he became a key player for the under-23 squad during the 2021–22 season, winning the Premier League 2, whilst still playing with the under-18, as they also won the national competition. During that season, the young player was also first called by Pep Guardiola to train with the Premier League squad.

On 22 February 2023, Charles was named as a substitute for City's UEFA Champions League last-16 tie away at RB Leipzig. On 28 May 2023, Charles made his Premier League debut coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute in the last game of the season against Brentford in a 1–0 defeat.

On 12 July 2023, Charles joined EFL Championship side Southampton on a four-year contract. He made his professional debut for the club on 8 August 2023 in a 3–1 defeat to Gillingham in the EFL Cup. On 12 August 2023, Charles made his first appearance in the league for Southampton in a 4–4 draw against Norwich City, replacing Stuart Armstrong in the 65th minute. During a 1–0 away victory against Queens Park Rangers on 23 December 2023, he received a red card following a second bookable offence for a foul on Albert Adomah.

On 25 October 2025, in a 2–1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers, Charles suffered a hamstring injury which was expected to prevent him playing until “late December”. He returned to action as a substitute on 21 January 2026 in a 1–0 victory over Sheffield United, and scored his first league goal for Southampton on 10 February 2026, a dramatic late winner in a 4–3 victory at Leicester City. On the 4th April 2026, In a Dramatic match against Arsenal, Shea Charles scored the winner in a 2-1 Victory over the Premiership side to advance to the FA Cup Semi-Finals

On 27 August 2024, Charles signed for Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan, joining his younger brother Pierce Charles at the club. Charles made his debut starting against Millwall in the 3–0 defeat on 31 August 2024. He scored his first professional goal in the 93rd minute to beat Coventry City 2–1 on 5 October 2024. The same month he won Wednesday's player of the month award. On 15 January, Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri confirmed during a fans forum, that Charles was being recalled by Southampton but would still be available for their next two games. On 24 January 2025, it was confirmed that Charles had returned to Wednesday for the remainder of the season. He received a nomination for the EFL Championship Young Player of the Year in April alongside Jobe Bellingham and CJ Egan-Riley. He was presented with Sheffield Wednesday's Player of the Year at the final home game of the season.

Shea Charles was capped by Northern Ireland from the under-16 to the under-21 level. He played two games with the under-16 side before becoming a key player with the under-19s. With the under-21 side, he played in matches against Slovakia and France in March 2022.

First called to the senior team by Ian Baraclough in May 2022, Charles made his international debut for Northern Ireland on 2 June, coming on as a substitute for George Saville in the 79th minute of the UEFA Nations League match against Greece. He made his first start three days later on 5 June, in another Nations League match against Cyprus.

Able to play as a defensive midfielder, a centre-back, a centre midfielder or a full-back, Charles is described as an athletic and technical player, already showing a great mentality from an early age.

His younger brother Pierce, is also a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.

As of 7 April 2026

As of match played 31 March 2026

Southampton

• EFL Championship play-offs: 2024

Individual

• Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year: 2024–25

• Profile at the Manchester City F.C. website

• Profile at the Irish Football Association website

• Shea Charles – UEFA competition record (archive)