{{Short description|Northern Ireland association football player}} {{use British English | date=June 2025}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Pierce Charles |fullname = Pierce Joseph Charles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://efl.com/news/2023/september/07/efl-squad-list--season-2023-24/|title=EFL Squad List: Season 2023/24|date=7 September 2023|website=EFL}}</ref> |birth_place = Manchester, England |height = 1.86m<ref>https://www.irishfa.com/ifa-international/squads/northern-ireland-senior-men/pierce-charles</ref> |image = Northern Ireland vs Ukraine (53866166690) (cropped).jpg |caption = Pierce Charles playing for Northern Ireland in 2024 |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|7|21|df=y}} |position = Goalkeeper |currentclub = Sheffield Wednesday |clubnumber = 1 |youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2021 |youthclubs1 = Manchester City |youthyears2 = 2021–2024 |youthclubs2 = Sheffield Wednesday |years1 = 2024– |clubs1 = Sheffield Wednesday |caps1 = 27 <!--LEAGUE ONLY--> |goals1 = 0 |nationalyears1 = 2021 |nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U17 |nationalcaps1 = 2 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |nationalyears2 = 2023–2024 |nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U19 |nationalcaps2 = 7 |nationalgoals2 = 0 |nationalyears3 = 2024 |nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland U21 |nationalcaps3 = 4 |nationalgoals3 = 0 |nationalyears4 = 2024– |nationalteam4 = Northern Ireland |nationalcaps4 = 10 |nationalgoals4 = 0 |club-update = 13:34, 2 May 2026 (UTC) |ntupdate = 14:10, 1 April 2026 (UTC) }}

'''Pierce Joseph Charles''' (born 21 July 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|SheffieW}} club Sheffield Wednesday. Born in England, he plays for the Northern Ireland national team.<ref>{{cite web|title= Pierce Charles|website=Soccerway|accessdate=7 November 2023|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/pierce-charles/688270/}}</ref>

==Career== Charles was in the youth set-up at Manchester City prior to joining up with Sheffield Wednesday in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-pierce-charles-4252477|website=The Star|accessdate=7 November 2023|title= Sheffield Wednesday spell out crystal clear stance on former Manchester City starlet Pierce Charles|first=Alex|last=Miller|date=11 August 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/sheffield-wednesday-pierce-charles-contract-24707545|website=Examiner Live|accessdate=7 November 2023|title= Inside Sheffield Wednesday youngster Pierce Charles' rapid rise as contract talks continue|first=Dom|last=Howson|date=9 August 2022}}</ref> In October 2022, he signed a three–year professional contract with the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/contract-details-sheffield-wednesday-charles-25285660.amp|website=Yorkshire Examiner|title= Contract details emerge as Sheffield Wednesday teen starlet Pierce Charles signs long term deal|first=Dom|last=Howson|date=18 October 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=He is ready for this moment|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2024/january/he-is-ready-for-this-moment/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |accessdate=25 January 2024}}</ref> On his senior debut, Wednesday drew 1–1 with Coventry.<ref>{{cite web|website=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2024|accessdate=27 January 2024|title=Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Coventry City: Djeidi Gassama secures Owls replay with Sky Blues|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68110756}}</ref> Following the end of the 2023–24 season, Charles signed a new contract with the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pierce Charles extends Owls contract|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2024/may/pierce-charles-extends-owls-contract/|access-date=17 May 2024|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday Official Site|date=17 May 2024}}</ref>

He made his league debut on 29 March 2025, playing the full game in a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cardiff 1-1 Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2025/march/29/report---cardiff-1-1-wednesday/|access-date=29 March 2025|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday Official Site|date=19 March 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday boss makes goalkeeper statement after surprise Pierce Charles decision|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-boss-makes-goalkeeper-statement-after-surprise-pierce-charles-decision-5057832|access-date=29 March 2025|publisher=Sheffield Star|date=19 March 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pierce Charles voted Owls Player of the Month|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/02/pierce-charles-voted-owls-player-of-the-month/|website=Sheffield Wednesday Football Club|access-date=2 May 2025}}</ref>

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, he was handed the number 1 shirt.<ref>{{cite news |title=Owls announce 2025/26 squad numbers |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2025/august/07/owls-announce-2025-26-squad-numbers/|access-date=7 August 2025 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=7 August 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Charles injury blow confirmed |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2025/august/21/charles-injury-blow-confirmed/|access-date=21 August 2025 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=21 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sheff Wed get OK to sign keeper on emergency loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clyd6q4el7yo|access-date=22 August 2025 |publisher=BBC |date=21 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pierce Charles surgery decision made with Sheffield Wednesday return date discussed |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/pierce-charles-surgery-sheffield-wednesday-5292722|access-date=28 August 2025 |publisher=Sheffield Star |date=28 August 2025}}</ref> He made his league return against Blackburn Rovers in December, however the game was abandoned due to rain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blackburn-Sheff Wed abandoned because of rain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cgjnl80z49pt|access-date=6 December 2025 |publisher=BBC |date=6 December 2025}}</ref> In January 2026, Charles picked up another shoulder injury in the FA Cup game against Brentford, the opposite shoulder which required surgery earlier in the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Owls wait on Pierce Charles verdict |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2026/january/10/owls-wait-on-pierce-charles-verdict/|access-date=10 January 2026 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday |date=10 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charles 'in a lot of pain' with shoulder injury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2lgzvn8v1wo|access-date=11 January 2026 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2026}}</ref> It was expected that this injury would see him out for a further two months of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sheff Wed keeper Charles set to be out for two months |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clygmpmn96ro|access-date=14 January 2026 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Owls confirm Pierce Charles blow |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2026/january/15/owls-confirm-pierce-charles-blow/|access-date=15 January 2026 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=15 January 2026}}</ref> On 7 March, Charles returned to the starting lineup for the first time since January against Derby County.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pierce Charles returns at Pride Park |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2026/march/07/pierce-charles-returns-at-pride-park/|access-date=9 March 2026 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=7 March 2026}}</ref>

==International career== A Northern Ireland youth international,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-youngster-pierce-charles-praised-by-owls-boss-teenager-may-get-a-chance-4398761|first=Joe|last=Crann|date=6 November 2023|title= Sheffield Wednesday youngster praised by Owls boss – teenager may get a chance this season|website=The Star}}</ref> being eligible via his Northern Irish mother,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-teenager-shea-charles-24086439 | title=Manchester City teenager at home with NI, says Ian Baraclough | date=28 May 2022 }}</ref> he made his debut for the Northern Ireland U19 side in March 2023, against Norway U19.<ref>{{cite web|website=Soccerway|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/28/europe/uefa-u19-championship-qualification/northern-ireland-under-19/norway-under-19/3999686/|title= NORTHERN IRELAND U19 VS. NORWAY U19 2 - 5|date=28 March 2023|accessdate=7 November 2023}}</ref> He received his first senior Northern Ireland call up on 20 May 2024,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2024/may/pierce-charles-gets-first-senior-call-up|date=20 May 2024|title=Pierce Charles gets first senior call-up|website=Northern Ireland Official Site}}</ref> subsequently making his senior debut against Belarus on 12 October 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2024/october/frustrating-night-for-northern-ireland-against-belarus|date=12 October 2024|title=Frustrating night for Northern Ireland against Belarus|website=Northern Ireland Official Site}}</ref>

==Personal life== His older brother Shea, is also a professional footballer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/im-dreaming-of-playing-for-northern-ireland-alongside-brother-shea-pierce-charles/a1025860484.html|website=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=26 November 2023|title=I'm dreaming of playing for Northern Ireland alongside brother Shea|first=Steven|last=Beacom|date=26 November 2023}}</ref>

==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|end of 2025–26 season}}

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Sheffield Wednesday |2023–24<ref name="2023/24">{{soccerbase season|167887|2023|accessdate=26 December 2023}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |2024–25<ref name="2024/25">{{soccerbase season|167887|2024|accessdate=26 December 2023}}</ref> |Championship |8||0||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- |2025–26<ref name="2025/26">{{soccerbase season|167887|2025|accessdate=26 December 2023}}</ref> |Championship |19||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||21||0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !27||0||4||0||5||0||0||0||36||0 |} {{notelist}}

===International=== {{updated|31 March 2026}}

{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|Northern Ireland |2024||4||0 |- |2025||4||0 |- |2026||2||0 |- !colspan=2|Total||10||0 |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Soccerway|pierce-charles/688270}}

{{Sheffield Wednesday F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Charles, Pierce}} Category:2005 births Category:Living people Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland Category:Footballers from Manchester Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers Category:English men's footballers Category:English people of Northern Ireland descent Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players Category:21st-century English sportsmen