Manchester City have completed the £500,000 signing of England defender Niamh Charles from Women’s Super League rivals Chelsea.
The left-back has agreed a three-year contract after six seasons at Stamford Bridge, where she made 173 appearances.
During her Chelsea spell, the 27-year-old collected five WSL titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
She was also part of Emma Hayes’ side that were beaten by Barcelona in the 2021 Women’s Champions League final.
Charles, who began her senior career at Liverpool, said she was thrilled to join City and eager to get started.
Having faced City regularly in recent seasons and watched their progress this year, she said their trajectory and ambition attracted her to the move.
She added that the project felt like a perfect fit and hopes to help deliver more success.
Her exit from Chelsea comes as the Blues bring in Republic of Ireland international Katie McCabe from Arsenal.
Charles offers City significant WSL and Champions League experience, while she looks to earn consistent minutes to secure her place in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for next year’s World Cup.
She has 34 caps for the Lionesses and scored in the shootout win over Spain in the Euro 2025 final.
Charles takes over from Spain full-back Leila Ouahabi, who has moved to Chicago Stars FC, and will wear the number 21 shirt.
City, who clinched their first WSL crown in ten years in May, are strengthening the squad this window as they aim to contend in Europe.
They have already added England forward Beth Mead following her departure from Arsenal at the end of the season.
Crucially, top scorer Khadija Shaw signed a new four-year contract in May, just days after appearing set to leave on a free.
City’s director of football, Therese Sjogran, said adding a player of Charles’ calibre and experience after last season’s success is a major boost.
She believes that despite all Charles has already achieved, her peak years are still ahead.
Sjogran added that Charles is driven to improve daily and will push her team-mates to raise their levels as well.