The 27-year-old defender makes the switch after a trophy-laden six-year spell at fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side, Chelsea.
She joins Andrée Jeglertz’s side with a reputation as one of the WSL’s most reliable attacking full-backs and an impressive pedigree on the international stage, totalling 13 domestic honours and four international trophies.
That includes being a part of England’s Euro 2025-winning squad, with Charles converting one of the penalties in the shootout victory over Spain in the final.
A versatile and intelligent defender, the 27-year-old has predominantly played at left-back after joining Chelsea from Liverpool in 2020 and was also named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year in 2023/24.
She will wear the number 21 shirt during her time at the Club, becoming its fifth owner during our professional era.
On signing permanently for Jeglertz’s team, Charles said: “I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ve seen from the outside and obviously played against City over the past few years, they’ve had great success this year, and I think what they’re building as a team, the players and the staff, it’s something I wanted to be a part of it.
“It suits me and fits me, the culture we’re building and the style of play. I just think it’s the perfect fit and hopefully we can have some good times together.”
Director of Football Therese Sjogran continued: “To add a player of Niamh’s ability and experience to our squad after the success of last season is a huge positive.
“We’re all excited to see what she can bring to the squad in the coming season and, despite everything she’s already achieved in the game, we firmly believe her best years are still to come.
“She has the drive to become a better player every day and also challenge her team-mates to do the same, so for her to want to spend the next three years at City speaks volumes about what we’re trying to build here.”
SERIAL WINNER
To understand the calibre of player City have added to our ranks in Niamh Charles, you simply have to look at her sparkling trophy collection.
A total of 17 honours made up of five WSL titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield, the 2025 European Championship, 2023 Finalissima and 2022 and 2023 Arnold Clark Cup – it’s clear to see why the Blues swooped for her services this summer.
Among the swathe of accolades – which also includes a place in the 2023/24 PFA WSL Team of the Season – there is a committed, versatile defender who epitomises the modern-day fullback.
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And with Andrée Jeglertz’s side looking to build on our WSL and FA Cup double from last season, coupled with the fact Charles is about to enter her peak footballing years, all roads lead to an exciting era for both club and player.
A product of Liverpool’s academy, she made her senior debut for the Reds as a 16-year-old in a draw with Sunderland in April 2016 after impressing within the youth ranks.
And as her career with the Merseyside outfit developed, she was often utilised as a winger due to her willingness to drive forward with the pace she possesses.
Opportunity then knocked at the end of the 2019/20 campaign following Liverpool’s relegation to WSL2 as Chelsea captured Charles’ signature.
The beginning of her chapter in London was a tale of learning on the job and harnessing the experiences afforded to her. Initially used in attacking areas, chances at full-back opened up due to injuries within Chelsea’s ranks.
And Charles never looked back. Due to her displays in the backline, she quickly became an important cog in Emma Hayes’ machine.
That led to the England international being the youngest starter in the 2021 Champions League final where she was unfortunately on the wrong side of a 4-0 defeat to an all-conquering Barcelona side.
Regardless of that disappointment on the continent, she more than played her part in Chelsea winning the domestic treble in 2020/21, which was a sign of things to come.
She was making herself known to City too, with a goal against us in the 2020/21 League Cup before playing a crucial role in the 2022 FA Cup final, where the Londoners beat the Blues at Wembley in extra time.
Charles has enjoyed similar success on the international stage, with the 27-year-old a member of the Lionesses squad who retained their status as European Champions in 2025.
She totalled five outings at the international tournament, which included coming from the sidelines in extra-time of the final before dispatching her precious penalty as Sarina Wiegman’s side beat Spain in the final.
Everything she’s been exposed to on the footballing stage has built a robust and relentless mentality which feeds off battling for the game’s highest honours.
And there’s no doubt Charles’ experience and ability to deliver on elite stages will further strengthen City’s desire to add to our own trophy cabinet after the WSL and FA Cup triumphs of 2025/26.
Honours
Chelsea
Women’s Super League: 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25
Women’s FA Cup: 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2024/25
FA Women’s League Cup: 2020/21, 2024/25, 2025/26
Community Shield: 2020
UEFA Women’s Champions League runner-up: 2020/21
England
FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up: 2023
UEFA Women’s Championship: 2025
Women’s Finalissima: 2023
Arnold Clark Cup: 2022, 2023
Individual
PFA WSL Team of the Year: 2023/24
