Talented midfielder Shea Charles has left last season’s Premier League champions Manchester City to sign a four-year deal with Southampton for an undisclosed fee.
The 19-year-old, who had been with City since the age of seven, made his debut for the club in their final Premier League game of last season against Brentford.
Speaking of Charles’ arrival at St Mary’s, Saints boss Russell Martin said: “Shea is a very talented, intelligent and mature young player with great potential to develop his game with us.
“He has been well schooled at Manchester City, coming through an elite academy all the way to the first team.
“We’ve watched him closely and we’re confident he’s got the right attributes to help us in the way we’re going to play.”
Charles, who has won eight senior international caps for Northern Ireland, feels he will adapt to his new surroundings in the EFL Championship pretty quickly.
“I feel like the way the manager’s going to play will really suit me,” he told the club website. “Obviously some of the players that I know (from City) have done very well here last season in the Premier League, so there’s no reason why I can’t come in and do similar things.
“He (Russell Martin) called me the other night, explaining that it will be good for me with the possession-based football that he looks to play, and I just can’t wait.
“I feel like the main thing is promotion for this club because we belong in the Premier League. I can’t wait to start pre-season and get into the Championship games."
