Manchester City has secured the signing of Niamh Charles from Chelsea on a three-year contract, marking a significant addition to their squad. The left-back returns to the north west after winning five WSL titles with the Blues since her transfer from Liverpool in 2020.

Charles, who has 34 caps for England, is celebrated for her contributions to the national team, including scoring in the penalty shoot-out during the Euro 2025 final against Spain. She will don the No 21 shirt at the Joie Stadium, committing to the WSL champions until 2029.

Reflecting on her move, Charles expressed her admiration for Manchester City's recent successes and the team's ambitious culture:

I've seen from the outside and played against City over the past few years, they've had great success this year. It suits and fits me, the culture we're building and the style of play. I just think it's the perfect fit. I've got a few good friends here from past times and internationals. They feel they're improving every day as players in training and every game.

Charles is the second player to transition from London to Manchester this season, following Beth Mead's move from Arsenal. This signing underscores Manchester City's intent to bolster their roster after a victorious FA Cup final, as noted by manager Andree Jeglertz.

Charles is expected to step into the starting left-back role following Leila Ouahabi's departure, although Alex Greenwood remains a versatile option. After experiencing limited game time recently, Charles looks forward to revitalizing her career at City, aiming to contribute to the team's ongoing success.