The January transfer window is open and Leicester City are preparing for a busy month of ins and outs.
Leicester will have until 3 February to complete any transfers, in and out, as Ruud van Nistelrooy looks to add to his squad for the first time.
Defenders and forwards are seemingly the priority for Van Nistelrooy this month but that hasn’t stopped players in other positions being linked with a move to the King Power Stadium.
Shea Charles has been linked with the Foxes this winter after impressing in the Championship on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
Charles is on loan from fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton but is still on the radar of Leicester and several other clubs around Europe.
But who is the young midfielder that could become Van Nistelrooy’s first addition as Leicester boss?
With that, here is everything you need to know.
Shea Charles age/birthplace
Shea Emmanuel Charles was born on 5 November 2003, making him 21 years of age at the time of writing.
He was born in Manchester but represents Northern Ireland at international level after qualifying because of his mother.
Shea Charles height
Shea Charles stands approximately at 6ft 2 inches tall (1.89m) which would make him one of the taller players in the Foxes squad.
Shea Charles position
Charles primarily operates as a defensive midfielder but can also fill in at centre-back or right-back if needs be.
He is most similar to Hamza Choudhury, who also has a utility-man role within the squad.
Shea Charles playing style
The 21-year-old is described as being a combative-style defensive midfielder who is a throwback to an older style of player.
Charles loves to make a tackle and is key to breaking up play across the pitch but is also capable of spring-boarding an attack with his deep range style of passing.
What’s most impressive his natural ability to lead teams despite his young age and many have tipped him to become a future captain.
Shea Charles stats
| Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Man City U21s | 54 | 1 | 1 |
| Southampton | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 21 | 1 | 4 |
| Country | Debut date | Caps | Goals | Assists |
| Northern Ireland | 2 June 2022 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Ireland U21s | 12 November 2021 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Ireland U19s | 1 September 2021 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Shea Charles career
Having grown up in Manchester, Charles was picked up by the Manchester City youth academy and became a key part of their U23s squad during the 2021/22 season as they won Premier League 2.
He caught the eye of Pep Guardiola and was the first youngster invited to train with the first team squad and was named as a substitute for the Champions League game against RB Leipzig on 22 February 2023.
Charles made his senior debut on 28 May 2023, coming on off the bench against Brentford in a 1-0 defeat.
The midfielder would then join Southampton that following summer and play a role in the club’s promotion back to the top flight as they won the play-off final against Leeds United.
Following the Saints’ return to the Premier League, Charles joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan where he linked up with brother Pierce.
He’s become an immediate fan favourite at Hillsborough and scored his first professional goal against Coventry City with a 93rd minute winner on 5 October 2024.