Shea Charles joins Fulham in £30m deal after Leeds bids fall short | OneFootball

Shea Charles has joined Fulham in a deal believed to be worth £30m, ending Leeds United’s summer chase.

The club said in a statement that the 22-year-old has signed a five-year contract to June 2031, with a club option to extend by a further 12 months, and will wear number 19. The move was confirmed on Tuesday morning. Fulham agreed £26m plus £4m in add-ons.

Leeds made two bids but neither met Southampton’s £30m valuation, and talks stalled last month as their final offer remained short.

Charles called the switch a privilege, praised the club’s vision and hopes to kickstart his Premier League career at Craven Cottage.

Leeds have not pursued alternative midfielders since withdrawing, instead sealing a club-record £40m deal for goalkeeper James Trafford last week.

Fulham visit Elland Road on 19 December, when Charles is due to return with his new side. He is their fourth summer signing, following teenager Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid pair Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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