Burnley's free‑transfer gamble: Charlie Wellings joins Turf Moor

Burnley have secured FA forward Charlie Wellings on a free‑transfer, signing her to a one‑year contract with an option to extend for a further year, giving the 28‑year‑old a short‑term platform at Turf Moor as the club builds its squad for the upcoming season.

Burnley’s official website confirmed the signing. The club’s communications team, the Clarettes, posted the announcement on their site.

The free‑transfer move places Wellings at Turf Moor, where she will train alongside both the men’s and women’s squads. She will share facilities with the men’s team daily.

Wellings arrives after a two‑year spell with Nottingham Forest, where she helped the side win the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division in the 2024/2025 season. During that period she netted 30 goals for the Trentside club, underscoring her prolific record.

The forward also brings Barclays Women’s Super League experience, having previously turned out for Birmingham City, Bristol City and Reading. While at Birmingham City she scored in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup final in 2017, adding a cup‑final goal to her résumé.

After putting pen to paper, Wellings said, “I’m very excited to be here. Having been in talks for quite a while as well, I’m happy to get it over the line and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

The contract reflects Burnley’s intent to integrate her into the squad as they prepare for their debut in the Barclays WSL2. Burnley are assembling a strong squad ahead of their first campaign in the Barclays WSL2, and the addition of a forward with Wellings’ goal‑scoring record is a key part of that plan. The free‑transfer signing illustrates the club’s broader market strategy of recruiting proven English talent with top‑flight experience to compete at the highest level of women’s football.