Charlton Athletic have signed midfielder Keira Flannery permanently from West Ham United on a three-year contract.
The 20-year-old spent the 2025/26 season on loan with Charlton and appeared in all 22 of their WSL2 matches. Her new agreement is the longest contract Charlton Athletic Women have given a player.
Flannery therefore remains with Karen Hills’ squad as the club prepares for its first season in the Women’s Super League.
Transfer Snapshot
- Player: Keira Flannery
- Age: 20
- Position: Midfielder
- From: West Ham United
- To: Charlton Athletic
- Transfer: Permanent
- Contract: Until 2029
- Charlton appearances in 2025/26: 22 WSL2 matches
- West Ham appearances: Ten in all competitions
- Previous loans: Gillingham, Reading, Sunderland and Charlton
- Contract record: Longest agreement given to a Charlton Athletic Women player
Flannery’s season at Charlton
Keira Flannery joined Charlton on loan in September 2025 after previous temporary spells with Gillingham, Reading and Sunderland.
She quickly became a regular in Hills’ midfield and featured in every league match as Charlton finished third in WSL2. The Addicks ended the campaign two points behind champions Birmingham City and automatic promotion winners Crystal Palace. Third place gave Charlton an opportunity to reach the WSL through the first promotion and relegation play-off.
Flannery missed the match against Leicester City because of an ankle injury, but her 22 league appearances had helped Charlton qualify for it. The Addicks won 2-1 on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse saving four Leicester penalties.
Charlton consequently became the 21st different club to reach the WSL and returned to the highest level of English women’s football after a 19-year absence.
Why a permanent transfer suits Flannery
Flannery developed in Arsenal’s academy before joining West Ham in 2022. She made her senior debut against Chelsea and went on to play ten times for the Hammers across all competitions. Most of her senior experience, however, came during loan spells.
She represented Gillingham and Reading before making 17 appearances for Sunderland during the 2024/25 season. Her subsequent move to Charlton provided her first full league campaign as a regular starter.
A permanent transfer gives Keira Flannery the opportunity to continue working under Hills instead of returning to West Ham or joining another club on loan. She already understands Charlton’s playing style and has experience alongside the teammates who secured promotion.
Her challenge will be adapting from WSL2 to the increased speed and technical level of the WSL.
What the three-year contract tells us
Charlton have added players with top-flight experience as part of their preparations for promotion, including former Tottenham and Leicester defender Ashleigh Neville.
Retaining Flannery shows that the club are not replacing the entire promotion-winning squad. They are combining external recruitment with longer-term investment in younger players who performed well in WSL2.
Charlton have not retained Keira Flannery solely for their first WSL season. The agreement runs until 2029 and gives the club time to develop a midfielder who is still only 20.
It also provides Charlton with continuity in a central area of the team. Flannery played throughout the promotion campaign and will not require the adaptation period associated with a new signing.
Her involvement in the WSL will depend on her performances and Charlton’s remaining midfield recruitment. The permanent deal nevertheless ensures that one of the club’s most frequently used players from last season will have the opportunity to compete at the level she helped them reach.
Source: Charlton Athletic
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