Manchester City agree to sign England defender Niamh Charles

Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign England defender Niamh Charles from Chelsea. Charles, a left-back, will leave Chelsea after six years and 173 appearances. At Chelsea, Charles collected five Women's Super League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups. She was also part of former manager Emma Hayes' squad that reached the Women's Champions League final in 2021. Charles' departure coincides with Republic of Ireland international Katie McCabe arriving from Arsenal. Manchester City also expect England forward Beth Mead, who left Arsenal last month, to join. Manchester City, who won their first WSL title in a decade in May, aim to add depth for a European challenge next season. Charles' experience should help her gain regular game time and cement her place in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for next year's World Cup. New episodes of the Women's Football Weekly podcast drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, providing interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond.