Fulham has reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of midfielder Shea Charles, in a deal worth £30 million. The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international is expected to undergo his medical examination within the next 24 hours.
Upon completion, Charles is slated to sign a five-year contract with Fulham, which includes an option for an additional year. The transfer fee is reported to be an initial £27 million, with a further £3 million in potential add-ons. Fulham's final confirmation of the deal was contingent on clearance from Manchester City, who held matching rights to re-acquire the player. The Premier League club ultimately declined to exercise this option.
Charles, who was seeking a move to the Premier League for increased playing time, had seen multiple offers from Leeds United rejected. His impending transfer to Fulham will see him join the squad under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa at Craven Cottage. Charles' departure from Southampton follows a season where a playoff final appearance was missed, an outcome he and his teammates attributed partly to an incident referred to as 'Spygate'.