Pierce Charles

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Pierce Charles
Northern Ireland vs Ukraine (53866166690).jpg
Pierce Charles playing for Northern Ireland.
Personal information
Full name Pierce Joseph Charles [1]
Date of birth (2005-07-21) 21 July 2005 (age 20)
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) [2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield Wednesday
Number 1
Youth career
–2021 Manchester City
2021–2022 Sheffield Wednesday
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2022– Sheffield Wednesday 10 (0)
International career‡
2021 Northern Ireland U17 2 (0)
2023–2024 Northern Ireland U19 7 (0)
2024 Northern Ireland U21 4 (0)
2024– Northern Ireland 8 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:59, 16 August 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 20:50, 10 June 2025 (UTC)

Pierce Joseph Charles (born 21 July 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Sheffield Wednesday. Born in England, he represents the Northern Ireland national team. [3]

Contents

Career

Charles was in the youth set-up at Manchester City prior to joining up with Sheffield Wednesday in 2021. [4] From the age of 16 years–old he began to train occasionally with the Sheffield Wednesday first team during the 2021–22 season and was subsequently included in the senior squad summer training camps in 2022. [5] In October 2022, he signed a three–year professional contract with the club. [6] On 25 January 2024, manager Danny Röhl confirmed Charles would make his debut in the FA Cup against Coventry City, due to the injury of senior goalkeeper Cameron Dawson and cup-tied James Beadle. [7] On his senior debut, Wednesday drew 1–1 with Coventry. [8] Following the end of the 2023–24 season, Charles signed a new contract with the club. [9]

He made his league debut on 29 March 2025, playing the full game in a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City. [10] After the game, manager Danny Röhl said the club have "two number ones now" suggesting Charles would be number 1 with James Beadle for the remainder of the season. [11] He played six times in April, winning the club's player of the month award for that month, with his composure in possession and shot-stopping abilities being highlighted. [12]

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, he was handed the number 1 shirt. [13] After starting the first 3 games of the season, Charles picked up a shoulder injury which would require surgery, resulting in a spell on the sidelines. [14] [15] [16]

International career

A Northern Ireland youth international, [17] being eligible via his Northern Irish mother, [18] he made his debut for the Northern Ireland U19 side in March 2023, against Norway U19. [19] He received his first senior Northern Ireland call up on 20 May 2024, [20] subsequently making his senior debut against Belarus on 12 October 2024. [21]

Personal life

His older brother Shea, is also a professional footballer. [22]

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 August 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sheffield Wednesday 2023–24 [23] Championship 002000—20
2024–25 [24] Championship801040—130
2025–26 [25] Championship200010—30
Career total100305000180

    International

    As of 10 June 2025
    Appearances and goals by national team and year
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    Northern Ireland 202440
    202540
    Total80

    References

    1. ↑ "EFL Squad List: Season 2023/24". EFL. 7 September 2023.
    2. ↑ https://www.irishfa.com/ifa-international/squads/northern-ireland-senior-men/pierce-charles
    3. ↑ "Pierce Charles". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
    4. ↑ Miller, Alex (11 August 2023). "Sheffield Wednesday spell out crystal clear stance on former Manchester City starlet Pierce Charles". The Star. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
    5. ↑ Howson, Dom (9 August 2022). "Inside Sheffield Wednesday youngster Pierce Charles' rapid rise as contract talks continue". Examiner Live. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
    6. ↑ Howson, Dom (18 October 2022). "Contract details emerge as Sheffield Wednesday teen starlet Pierce Charles signs long term deal". Yorkshire Examiner.
    7. ↑ "He is ready for this moment". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
    8. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Coventry City: Djeidi Gassama secures Owls replay with Sky Blues". BBC Sport. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
    9. ↑ "Pierce Charles extends Owls contract". Sheffield Wednesday Official Site. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
    10. ↑ "Cardiff 1-1 Wednesday". Sheffield Wednesday Official Site. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
    11. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday boss makes goalkeeper statement after surprise Pierce Charles decision". Sheffield Star. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
    12. ↑ "Pierce Charles voted Owls Player of the Month". Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
    13. ↑ "Owls announce 2025/26 squad numbers". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
    14. ↑ "Charles injury blow confirmed". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
    15. ↑ "Sheff Wed get OK to sign keeper on emergency loan". BBC. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
    16. ↑ "Pierce Charles surgery decision made with Sheffield Wednesday return date discussed". Sheffield Star. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
    17. ↑ Crann, Joe (6 November 2023). "Sheffield Wednesday youngster praised by Owls boss – teenager may get a chance this season". The Star.
    18. ↑ "Manchester City teenager at home with NI, says Ian Baraclough". 28 May 2022.
    19. ↑ "NORTHERN IRELAND U19 VS. NORWAY U19 2 - 5". Soccerway. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
    20. ↑ "Pierce Charles gets first senior call-up". Northern Ireland Official Site. 20 May 2024.
    21. ↑ "Frustrating night for Northern Ireland against Belarus". Northern Ireland Official Site. 12 October 2024.
    22. ↑ Beacom, Steven (26 November 2023). "I'm dreaming of playing for Northern Ireland alongside brother Shea". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
    23. ↑ "Games played by Pierce Charles in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
    24. ↑ "Games played by Pierce Charles in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
    25. ↑ "Games played by Pierce Charles in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
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