SAINTS have confirmed young midfielder Shea Charles will spend the 2024/25 season on loan at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

The 20 year old Northern Ireland international featured 38 times across all competitions in his debut season for Saints. 

Charles will link up for the season with former Saints assistant manager Danny Rohl and his brother Pierce Charles, who plays in goal for the Owls.

A Saints statement added: "The club wishes Shea well for the season and looks forward to monitoring his progress."

Manchester City youth captain Charles cost Saints around £12million when he became former director Jason Wilcox's first signing last summer.

Manager Russell Martin views Charles as an important part of the long-term project at St Mary's, with Lesley Ugochukwu signed on loan to facilitate his exit.

Martin said: "He played a big part in helping the team achieve promotion in his first season in men's football. It doesn't often happen in a really important position.

"He will benefit from going somewhere and trying to play every single game because otherwise it just stops his development to be a back-up player really.

"He's a long-term signing for the club and he will now help Sheffield Wednesday a lot with a really good coach who has had a relationship with the club."