Charlie Austin

Charles Austin (born 5 July 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Southern League Premier Division South club AFC Totton.

Released from his contract by Reading as a youth, Austin played non-league football up to May 2009, when he was signed by Swindon Town after a prolific season for Poole Town. After scoring 58 goals in 113 matches in the Football League Championship for Burnley and Queens Park Rangers, Austin made his debut in the Premier League during the 2014–15 season, scoring 18 goals for relegated Queens Park Rangers and receiving a call-up for the England national team. He returned to the Premier League in January 2016 when he signed for Southampton, scoring the winning goal against Manchester United on his debut.

On 21 May 2015, Austin was called up for the first time to the England national football team for a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Slovenia. He and Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy were called up due to several other forwards being involved in the European Under-21 Championship, but Austin did not feature in either match.

Austin and his wife Bianca Austin (née Parker) have a daughter, born in August 2012 to a surrogate.