Keira Flannery Joins Charlton Athletic Permanently After Successful Loan Spell
Keira Flannery has officially made her move to Charlton Athletic permanent following a loan stint with the club from West Ham last season. The 20-year-old midfielder departs the Irons after spending four years with the team, having originally joined from Arsenal in 2022 at the age of 16. Flannery got her start in football at Arsenal’s academy before transitioning to her childhood team, West Ham.
Flannery made her first appearance for West Ham later in 2022, debiting in the Women’s Super League against Chelsea on September 28, just days after turning 17. Throughout her time with the Hammers, she made a total of 10 appearances before gaining further experience through various loan spells.
A Series of Loan Spells
Flannery’s initial loan move from West Ham occurred during the 2022/23 season when she joined Gillingham. She then transferred to Reading for the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign. During her tenure with the Royals, she made 10 appearances and found the net once, accumulating valuable experience in the second tier.
Continuing her growth, Flannery joined Sunderland for the 2024/25 season. Here, she made 17 appearances across all competitions, contributing to the Black Cats’ seventh-place finish in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2. Her last loan spell was with Charlton Athletic, who signed her on a season-long deal in September 2025.
Promotion Success with Charlton
Flannery had a pivotal role during her time in south London, participating in all 22 of Charlton’s WSL2 league matches in the 2025/26 season. The team concluded the season in third place, leading to a matchup against Leicester City in the inaugural WSL promotion/relegation play-off at The Valley.
Unfortunately, an ankle injury sidelined Flannery for the decisive match. She watched from the sidelines as Charlton triumphed in a thrilling penalty shootout, securing their promotion to the WSL. Despite her absence in the final, Flannery made a significant impact throughout the season, establishing herself as a key player in midfield.
England Youth International
In tandem with her club career, Flannery has represented England at youth levels. The midfielder has donned the national colors at U17, U18, and U19 levels, even captaining the U17 team during the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship qualification. Her time at West Ham marked her initial exposure to senior football while enabling her to advance her international career.
The Next Chapter
Now 20, Flannery exits West Ham with a wealth of experience from her four loan spells and senior matches in the second tier. Her departure follows her return from Charlton at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, as the Addicks prepare for their first-ever campaign in the WSL.
For Flannery, this next phase in her career signifies a new opportunity to build upon the skills and experiences acquired since she joined West Ham as a teenager. Following her journey from the Arsenal academy to a pivotal role in a promotion-winning Charlton side, Flannery looks forward to the next chapter ahead.
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Keira Flannery has made her move to Charlton Athletic permanent following a loan spell with the club from West Ham last season.
The 20-year-old departs the Irons after four years, having first joined from Arsenal in 2022 when she was just 16. The midfielder had spent her early years in Arsenal’s academy before making the move to the club she had supported throughout her childhood.
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Flannery made her first West Ham appearance later that year, making her Women’s Super League debut against Chelsea on 28th September 2022, just four days after her 17th birthday. She went on to make 10 appearances for the Hammers before spending much of her time developing through loan spells.
A series of loan spells
Flannery’s first loan move from West Ham came during the 2022/23 season when she joined Gillingham. She then moved to Reading during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
The midfielder made 10 appearances for the Royals and scored once, gaining valuable experience in the second tier.
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She continued her development with Sunderland during the 2024/25 season. Flannery made 17 appearances across all competitions for the Black Cats, helping them finish seventh in the Barclays Women’s Super League 2.
Her final loan spell came with Charlton Athletic, who secured her services on a season-long deal in September 2025.
Promotion success with Charlton
Flannery enjoyed an important campaign in south London, featuring in all 22 of Charlton’s WSL2 league matches during the 2025/26 season.
The Addicks finished third in the division before facing Leicester City in the inaugural WSL promotion/relegation play-off at The Valley.
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Unfortunately for Flannery, an ankle injury ruled her out of the decisive fixture. She watched from the sidelines as Charlton eventually secured promotion to the WSL following a dramatic penalty shootout victory.
Despite missing the final, Flannery had played a significant role in Charlton’s successful campaign, establishing herself as a regular in midfield throughout the season.
England youth international
Alongside her club career, Flannery has also represented England at youth level.
The midfielder has been capped by England at U17, U18 and U19 level, and captained the U17 side during UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship qualification.
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Her time at West Ham therefore provided Flannery with her first taste of senior football while also allowing her to continue developing her international career.
The next chapter
Now 20, Flannery leaves West Ham with a wealth of experience gained across four loan spells and senior football in the second tier.
Her departure follows her return from Charlton at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, with the Addicks going on to prepare for their first-ever season in the WSL.
For Flannery, the next stage of her career represents another opportunity to build on the experience she has gained since joining West Ham as a teenager.
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Having progressed from the Arsenal academy to her childhood club, made her senior debut against Chelsea and played a key role in a promotion-winning Charlton side, Flannery can now look ahead to the next chapter of her career.
Related articles from Her Football Hub:
-
‘Full circle moment’: Katie McCabe ready for new chapter with Chelsea after Arsenal exit
-
WSL: New signing Géraldine Reuteler says it’s a ‘privilege’ to play for Arsenal
-
Could London City Lionesses shake up an unpredictable WSL season?
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