Arabic version: شيا تشارلز يتعامل مع الرقم القياسي لصفقة فولهام

According to BBC News, Shea Charles says he is not dwelling on the record-breaking £30m fee that took him from Southampton to Fulham in the summer. The 22-year-old became Northern Ireland’s most expensive footballer with the move, which also returned him to the Premier League.

Charles described the status as “quite crazy” but said he is focused on playing football rather than the price tag. He said his family, including his younger and older brothers, his parents and his friendship group help to keep him grounded. Charles has featured in all five of Fulham’s Premier League matches this season, starting three, including draws with Liverpool and Manchester United.

Fulham are 19th after two draws and three defeats. Charles said returning to the Premier League had always been his aim, whether through Southampton or a transfer. He added that he had settled in well at Fulham and said the club’s manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, shared his view of football.

International duty will now take Charles’ attention as Northern Ireland prepare for four Nations League fixtures against Georgia home and away, Hungary and Ukraine. Capped 35 times since his June 2022 debut, he said international football has helped his development by allowing him to face high-level opponents. Charles also praised Michael O’Neill for trusting him and giving him responsibility, including handing him the armband on occasion.

Charles’ brother Pierce, a goalkeeper on loan at Queen’s Park Rangers from Manchester City, is also part of the Northern Ireland squad. Shea Charles said playing alongside his brother internationally was “the stuff of dreams”, while their mother regularly follows both players, including at matches at Windsor Park and away fixtures. He believes Northern Ireland’s squad has the potential to show its quality, describing it as a tight-knit group.