Manchester City's under-21 captain Shea Charles is set to join Southampton this summer on a permanent transfer. Charles, 19, made his senior debut for City on the final day of the Premier League season after leading the under-21 side to a third-successive Premier League 2 title.
The Northern Ireland international has eight caps for his country, and can play across the defence or in midfield. He earned praise from Pep Guardiola for his performances over the season, where he was included in the matchday squad on three occasions, culminating in his senior club debut at Brentford.
Now, he will become the latest City academy prospect to move to St Mary's after four made the permanent switch last summer. Southampton will pay an initial £10.5m for Charles, rising to £15m in add-ons. ALSO READ: Man City transfer contrast to Manchester United and Liverpool FC backs up chairman's point City will also have a buy-back option on the midfielder, as well as a sizeable sell-on clause, as the transfer is finalised.
Charles follows Romeo Lavia, Sam Edozie, Gavin Bazunu and Juan Larios who all signed for Southampton last summer for collective fees of around £40m.