Charlie Sayers

Defender Charlie Sayers joined our Academy from Southend United in December, 2021.

A former pupil at Beauchamps High School in Essex, he played for Billericay Town between the Under-13 and Under-15 age categories before representing Bowers & Pitsea in his Under-16 year, where he played up in their Under-18 and Under-23 sides.

Able to operate as either a centre-back or left-back, Charlie made six first team appearances for Southend in the National League during the opening few months of the 2021/22 season.

Upon linking up with our Under-18s, he swiftly assumed responsibilities as captain and scored his first goal in a 2-1 win at Southampton in January, 2022. He also scored in a 6-1 home victory over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Youth Cup and by the end of the 2021/22 season, he'd made 14 appearances in all competitions at Under-18 level, in addition to playing twice for our Development Squad in the Premier League 2.

Near the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Charlie suffered an eye injury in an Under-21 fixture against Liverpool which ruled him out for a number of weeks. He returned with a good performance in a 3-2 victory away to Marseille in the Under-19 UEFA Youth League in November, 2022.