Fulham confirm signing of Charles from Southampton

Fulham have confirmed the signing of midfielder Shea Charles from Southampton.

The Whites recently agreed a deal to buy Charles for an initial £26m, with the fee potentially rising to £30m in add-ons, and he has signed a five-year contract with the option of an additional year.

Leeds are among a number of other clubs to have chased the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international, whose younger brother Pierce, a goalkeeper, recently joined QPR on loan from Manchester City.

Charles told FFCTV: “I’m buzzing to finally get it over the line. The club has got a really good foundation, from the bottom to the top really.

“It’s a great club, with a really good vision – the manager explained that to me. To be here is a massive privilege.

“I hope to really kickstart my Premier League career. At such a good club as well, it’s perfect for me, and hopefully perfect for the fans as well.”

New Whites boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been keen to bolster the club’s midfield options and the arrival of the highly-rated Charles is a significant capture.

He has impressed hugely since being signed from Manchester City in 2023.

Charles spent most of the season before last on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and last term he was a key player for Southampton, who reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and missed out on promotion back to the Premier League when they were kicked out of the play-offs because of the Spygate scandal.

Charles’ arrival follows the departure of fellow midfielder Sasa Lukic, who completed a move to Ipswich on Saturday.