Man City sell Charles to Southampton

Saints pay £15m for Northern Ireland international

Goalkeeper Trafford set to join Burnley

 

WHAT HAPPENED? The treble winners have included a high sell-on clause in the deal and have matching

rights, GOAL understands, meaning they will have the chance to match any bid that comes in for Charles in the future.

Charles played just 27 minutes of first team football for City, coming off the bench in their defeat to Brentford on the final

day of the season.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: City have one of the most profitable academies in football and last year they sold Romeo Lavia

to Southampton for £10m ($13m) in addition to making £7m ($9m) from Pedro Porro’s transfer to Sporting CP. And the

treble winners are set to make yet more money from their youngsters as goalkeeper James Trafford closes in on a £19m

($25m) transfer to Burnley. If England Under-21 keeper Trafford completes the move to Turf Moor, City will have made

£34m ($44m) this summer from players who have barely featured for their first team. Trafford spent the last two seasons on

loan at Bolton in League One and has never played for Guardiola’s side.

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BURNLEY & BAFANA STRIKER, LYLE FOSTER, OPENS UP ABOUT HIS BATTLE WITH DEPRESSION

The 22-year-old is preparing for his first season in the Premier League with Burnley FC.

Burnley striker, Lyle Foster, admits he contemplated taking his own life in the past, as he battled with anxiety and

depression.

The 22-year-old is preparing for his first season in the Premier League after gaining promotion under Vincent Kompany at

the Clarets last season.

Speaking to renowned broadcaster Robert Marawa on #MSW, Foster says things have not been easy, particularly since his

move to Europe.

I was in Belgium and it was after the game against Morocco. I went back for pre-season and some things didn’t feel right. I

had severe depression and anxiety at the time and struggled to focus on my game.

I was alone in my apartment and felt this huge sense of loneliness. I felt like I couldn’t really express myself around my team

mates. I used to just go to training and play games and I didn’t really look forward to doing anything else outside of that.

Foster added that his family and those around him have been a massive support system for him and that they have helped

him through the toughest of times.

My family have been so, so good with me and the structures around have been so good that I am enjoying life

again on and off the field.

Lyle Foster, Burnley Striker

 

I spoke to my parents and my agent as well and I wanted to come back home and play here. I was clouded by the

darkness but I am grateful for the support that the club [Westerlo] gave me as well.