Known for her pace, technical quality, and versatility, Niamh Charles has developed into one of England’s most reliable left-backs. After establishing herself at Chelsea and becoming a regular in Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad, Charles has now completed a move to Women’s Super League rivals Manchester City. So, let’s take a closer look at her career and how she became one of the country’s top defenders.
Born in Merseyside, Charles began playing football alongside boys with West Kirby Wasps. At the age of 15, she joined Liverpool Women’s academy, where she initially played as a forward.
Following an impressive 2014/15 season, scoring twice in just two appearances, Charles earned her senior debut for Liverpool in April 2016 against Sunderland in a match that finished level.
She spent four seasons with the Reds, making 48 appearances and scoring six goals before departing following Liverpool’s relegation in 2020 to join Chelsea.
Under the guidance of then-manager Emma Hayes, Charles reinvented herself as a full-back, primarily operating on the left side of defence.
Her debut season at Chelsea couldn’t have gone much better. The Blues completed a domestic treble, while Charles became the youngest player to start the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, although Chelsea were beaten by Barcelona.
In April 2021, she made her senior England debut, replacing Alex Greenwood at half-time in a friendly against France.
Just a few months later, Charles was named as one of four reserve players for Team GB at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, once again highlighting her status as one of England’s brightest young talents.
She narrowly missed out on England’s final 23-player squad for UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, watching on as the Lionesses lifted the trophy on home soil.
Charles returned to the international stage for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was selected again for Sarina Wiegman’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 squad. In the final, she replaced Lucy Bronze before calmly converting one of England’s penalties in the shootout, helping the Lionesses secure a second consecutive European Championship.
Back at Chelsea, Charles continued to collect silverware. The Blues won back-to-back domestic doubles, successfully defending both the Women’s Super League and FA Cup titles in 2022/23 and 2023/24. Her consistently impressive performances earned her a place in the 2023/24 WSL Team of the Year.
An injury at the start of the 2024/25 campaign delayed her first appearances under new head coach Sonia Bompastor, but she returned to play an important role as Chelsea secured another domestic treble, capped off by victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
After six successful years in west London, Charles departed Chelsea at the end of the 2025/26 season, having made 173 appearances and scored eight goals. During her time at the club, she lifted five Women’s Super League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups, cementing her place as one of the most decorated players of the modern Chelsea era.
Charles has now completed a move to Manchester City, where she will add experience, versatility and a winning mentality to one of the Women’s Super League’s strongest squads. Capable of playing at left-back, wing-back or further forward when required, the England international offers quality at both ends of the pitch.
At 27, she begins a new chapter in Manchester hoping to help City challenge for domestic and European honours while continuing to establish herself as one of the Lionesses’ most dependable defenders.
