Shea Charles: Former NI international Dallas confident Charles will star at Fulham

Former Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas feels Shea Charles’ record-breaking move to the Premier League is “a good signing for Fulham and a good move for Shea”.

Charles became the most expensive Northern Ireland footballer this week after completing a £30m switch from Southampton to Craven Cottage.

The 22-year-old began his career with Manchester City before moving to Championship club Southampton, also spending a season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

During last season’s ill-fated Play-off campaign for the Saints, Charles’ injury-time winner in the semi-final against Middlesbrough initially sent them to the final, only for them to be subsquently disqualified due to the ‘spygate’ affair.

His performances did not go unnoticed and the midfielder, who has won 35 Northern Ireland caps, will get his opportunity to star at the top level of English football with Dallas confident he can do just that.

“It is a big jump from the Championship to the Premier League – the gap is huge – but Shea is coming from good stock in Manchester City, so he’s been in and around it,” Dallas told BBC Sport NI.

“Shea has real quality. He’s a very good footballer, intelligent and wants to learn, so it’s a good signing for Fulham and a good for for Shea – I hope he does well.”