Burnley have secured the free transfer of 28-year-old forward Charlie Wellings ahead of their debut Barclays WSL2 season. The Clarets announced the deal on Wednesday via their official club website, with Wellings signing a one-year contract at Turf Moor and a club option for a further 12 months.
Free Transfer Signing
Wellings joins Burnley after two seasons with Nottingham Forest, where she netted 30 goals in 52 appearances and helped the club win the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division in 2024/25. The forward’s previous spells in the WSL include Birmingham City, Bristol City and Reading, where she lifted the 2017 Adobe Women’s FA Cup with Birmingham.
Experience and Ambition
Burnley, currently 19th in the Premier League with 22 points from 38 games and a goal difference of -37, are assembling a squad to compete in WSL2. Wellings’ Premier League pedigree and big-game experience - highlighted by her cup-final strike for Birmingham - fit the club’s ambition of an immediate return to the top flight.
The Clarets are integrating their women’s team into the same elite facilities as the men’s side at Barnfield Training Centre, a factor Wellings praised in her first remarks: “Having been in talks for quite a while, I’m happy to get it over the line. The ambition of the club shows through - we’re in and around the same facilities as the men’s team every day, which are unbelievable. I’ve had a few battles against Burnley over the years, and it’s always been a good game. I’m happy to be on this side of things now.”
Building a Competitive Squad
Wellings will slot into a Burnley attack that scored 38 goals this season but conceded 75, leaving the club 63 points adrift of Arsenal in the title race. With the squad still taking shape, her arrival marks another step toward competitive stability in the women’s game at Turf Moor.
Burnley will kick off their WSL2 campaign with a home match against Preston on 5 December 2026, as the Clarets chase an immediate bounce-back from relegation. The signing of Wellings, a proven goal-scoring and cup-winner, signals the club’s intent to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion.
Looking Ahead
Wellings’ experience across multiple WSL clubs and her recent success with Nottingham Forest make her a valuable addition to Burnley’s forward line. The club’s commitment to shared facilities and a clear promotion pathway should provide a supportive environment for her to thrive. As the season approaches, Burnley’s women’s team will aim to translate Wellings’ goal-scoring form into a successful campaign in the second tier of English women’s football.
