In Profile: Shea Charles
Southampton’s second signing of the Russell Martin regime, Shea Charles has been schooled in possession-based football from a young age.
Charles was born in Manchester and joined City at the age of seven, progressing through the Academy as a standout performer.
Whilst his preferred position is as a defensive midfielder, the 19-year-old has also operated in a more attack-minded box-to-box role, as well as in defence, at both centre-back and right-back.
Showcasing his versatility and football intelligence, Charles has already matured into a leader, captaining City’s Under-21s to a third successive Premier League 2 title last season.
Charles in action on his Premier League debut for Manchester City at Brentford last season
He was also a key figure in the previous triumph, starring alongside the likes of Roméo Lavia, Samuel Edozie and Juan Larios in 2021/22, whose path he has since followed by taking the same route to St Mary’s.
It was in that season that Pep Guardiola invited Charles to train with City’s first team for the first time, and the three-time Champions League-winning boss has continued to monitor his progress since.
This year saw Charles named in the matchday squad for the last 16 tie against RB Leipzig, as City went on to win the Champions League for the first time in their history for the final piece of an historic treble.
His first-team debut arrived on the final day of the Premier League campaign, away at Brentford, where Charles was introduced in the 63rd minute as a central defender, slotting between established internationals Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte.
Charles, who has eight senior caps, made his first start for Northern Ireland against Cyprus last year
The bulk of his experience in senior football has come at international level. Qualifying for Northern Ireland through his mother, he represented the Green and White Army from Under-16s through to Under-21s before receiving his first call-up to the senior squad in May 2022.
Making his debut as a second-half substitute against Greece last summer, he made his first start three days later in the Nations League meeting with Cyprus, playing alongside former Saints star Steven Davis in midfield.
Already a key man for his country, Charles has racked up eight caps in his first year as an international, including a starring role in March’s 2-0 win over San Marino in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Described as a composed and athletic midfielder with a fine range of passing, Charles revealed he has been keen to seek advice from Fernandinho, Rodri and Kalvin Phillips – three of his former City teammates who have excelled in the same deep-lying midfield berth he hopes to pin down at St Mary’s.
