Premier League-linked star sends message as Chelsea agree new transfer
Pierce Charles has sent a message to Yisa Alao after it was confirmed that he has signed for Premier League giants Chelsea.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Man United and Liverpool were attempting to sign Alao, who has broken through for Sheffield Wednesday this season.
The 17-year-old made his senior debut for the Owls in August and featured from the start in the Championship for the first time this month.
Several Premier League clubs were interested in Alao, but the defender has committed his future to Chelsea.
Charles is also attracting interest from the Premier League, with Wednesday having rejected multiple bids last summer.
Pierce Charles congratulates Yisa Alao
After a superb breakthrough at the end of last season, Charles became a mainstay for the Northern Ireland international team at just the age of 19.
Such an impressive breakout saw the Premier League circle the young goalkeeper, but Wednesday, despite their terrible financial situation under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri, kept hold of him.
This season has been a difficult one for both Charles and the Owls, however.
| Pierce Charles | Championship 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 9 |
| Clean sheets | 1 |
| Goals conceded | 21 |
| Saves | 43 |
| Save percentage | 67.2% |
For all of the struggles Henrik Pedersen’s team have gone through amid point deductions and simply getting paid, the Northern Irishman has spent much of the campaign on the injury table.
A shoulder injury suffered early in the season kept Charles out until December, and a further problem in the same area has now seen him back out of action.
Premier League interest is still expected in the summer, however, and the goalkeeper could still join his former teammate, Alao.
The defender has signed a contract until 2028 with Chelsea after a deal reportedly worth around £500k was agreed.
Confirming his departure from Wednesday on social media, Alao wrote: “10 years, endless memories, from the staff, to my teammates, to the fans, forever grateful. Thank you Sheffield Wednesday”
Charles responded with a raised hands emoji, accompanied with the words, “Good luck son”.
Fellow Sheffield Wednesday talent responds
Bailey Cadamarteri is another Wednesday talent who could be set to leave Hillsborough in the coming months.
The youngster has netted twice in the Championship this season, and was reportedly the subject of a £1million bid by Hibernian earlier this month.
Blackburn Rovers are also weighing up a move for Cadamarteri, as they look to fight their own relegation battle.
The young forward joined Charles in wishing Alao the best, commenting: “Good luck my boy”.