26 Apr 2026 10:57 BST |
5 min read
Rangers have been urged to pursue a deal for Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old has been a rare bright spark during a disastrous season for the Owls, who have only won one Championship match this term after a series of off-pitch issues, including the eventual exit of owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Charles, the younger brother of Southampton midfielder Shea, moved to Hillsborough from Manchester City’s academy in 2020, but a six-year association with the club is expected to end this summer.
The Northern Ireland international, who already has 10 senior caps for his country, still has one year remaining on his current contract at Sheffield Wednesday, but he is set to depart on a permanent deal ahead of next season following their relegation back down to League One.
Charles has missed 28 games due to two separate shoulder injuries this season, however he has been in excellent form when fully fit and Rangers are among the clubs keeping close tabs on his development, as per The Daily Record.
Jack Butland, 33, has been Rangers’ number one for the past three years, but the club are eager to secure the signing of a long-term replacement and Charles has been earmarked as a possible option.
He was handed his Sheffield Wednesday debut by now Rangers boss Danny Rohl as an 18-year-old in early 2024, and Northern Ireland assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl believes the Ibrox outfit should pursue a deal this summer.
Pierce Charles has won the @SWFCwsg’s Player of the Year award 🏆 🦉 pic.twitter.com/s84Htpl7m8
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) April 18, 2026
Pierce Charles to Rangers transfer verdict
“Certainly, I wouldn’t discourage anybody from taking a punt on him now, actually. Not only Rangers,” Nicholl told Record Sport.
“Honestly, this young boy, the football intelligence in his head at 20 years of age, he just calms everybody down. The players, the defenders, if they’re under pressure, they’ll give it back to Pierce and he’s such a calming influence on them all.
“I would say, eight, nine times out of 10, his choice of pass from that situation is a good one. And he’s either clipping it up to the strikers or he reads the situation.
“He’s looking ahead to see what happens. If a midfielder comes short, then he clips it over the midfielder into the striker. He’s playing football from the 18-yard box. But I’ve never felt, ‘this is too much, he’s overplayed’.
“If he has to kick it up the park, he’ll kick it up the park. But he just reads the game so well, where his next pass is going to be after the short one.”
What an assist this was!
Pierce Charles reacts to his best moments this season ⤵️
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) April 16, 2026
Nicholl added: “I’ve spoken about how good he is with the ball at his feet but he’s got a bit of everything.
“He’s a good shot-stopper. He’s brave, the kid. And he’s perfectly happy coming for balls. He’s not a big strapping, but he’ll get stronger. Pierce has got a big future ahead of him.”
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