Lauren James (born 29 September 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Chelsea and the England women's national team.
![]() James with England in 2022 | |||
Personal information | |||
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Date of birth | (2001-09-29) 29 September 2001 (age 21) | ||
Place of birth | London, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Chelsea | ||
Number | 10 | ||
Youth career | |||
2010–2014 | Chelsea[1] | ||
2014–2017 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2017–2018 | Arsenal | 5 | (0) |
2018–2021 | Manchester United | 40 | (22) |
2021– | Chelsea | 9 | (1) |
National team‡ | |||
2017–2018 | England U17 | 6 | (6) |
2019 | England U19 | 11 | (1) |
2022– | England | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:55, 28 September 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11 October 2022 |
James was scouted by Arsenal as a 13-year-old and trained with the boys' team, but within two years she began training with the first team.[2] On 29 September 2017, James made her debut for Arsenal, coming on in the 67th minute, replacing Lisa Evans in a 2–0 win over Everton in the 2017–18 season.[3] In doing so, she became the second-youngest player in Arsenal's history to make their debut.[2]
On 13 July 2018, it was announced that James would be part of the first professional Manchester United squad due to compete in the newly restructured 2018–19 FA Women's Championship.[4] She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool, on 19 August.[5] She scored the opening two goals in United's first game of the 2018–19 Championship season, a 12–0 win away to Aston Villa.[6] James was voted FA Women's Championship player of the month for September following her three goals across Manchester United's unbeaten opening month.[7] On 20 April 2019, James scored four goals in a 7–0 league win against Crystal Palace.[8]
James scored United's first ever WSL goal, netting in the 71st minute in a 2–0 win against Liverpool on 28 September 2019.[9] Two weeks later, James was sent off in United's 3–0 league win away to Tottenham Hotspur after receiving two yellow cards.[10] James signed her first professional contract with the club on 16 December.[11] At the end of the 2019–20 season, James finished as United's top scorer and was named to the four player shortlist for PFA Women's Young Player of the Year.[12]
On 27 March 2021, James opened the scoring in a 2–0 league victory over West Ham United. The match was the first FA WSL match to be played at Old Trafford.[13]
On 23 July 2021, James signed a four-year contract with Chelsea.[1]
In April 2017, James made her under-17 debut in a 2–0 friendly defeat to USA. On 14 October 2017, she captained England during a 10–0 win over Latvia as part of 2018 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualification, scoring four goals.
In January 2019, James received her first call-up to the under-19 squad for the Algarve Tournament.[14] In July 2019, James was named in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Scotland.[15]
In November 2020, James received her first senior national team call-up as part of a 29-player training camp at St George's Park.[16]
James made her senior debut on 3 September 2022, coming on as a 79th minute substitute during England's 2023 World Cup qualification match against Austria.[17]
James is the younger sister of Chelsea and England defender Reece James.[18] She has cited her father Nigel, a UEFA licensed football coach, as inspiration: "[He] has helped me every step of the way. I grew up playing football with my brothers and wanted to play like them; I have always loved the game. I am grateful to my Dad for all the time, effort and love that he has put into my football by coaching me in order that I reach the very best level."[19] She is of Jamaican descent through her father.[20]
She attended Whitton School in Whitton, London.[21]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
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Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Arsenal | 2017–18 | WSL 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | – | 8 | 1 | |
Manchester United | 2018–19 | Championship | 18 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | – | 27 | 17 | |
2019–20 | WSL | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | – | 18 | 9 | ||
2020–21 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 11 | 2 | |||
Total | 40 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 3 | – | 56 | 28 | |||
Chelsea | 2021–22 | WSL | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Career total | 46 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 66 | 29 |
Year | England | |
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Apps | Goals | |
2022 | 3 | 0 |
Total | 3 | 0 |
Manchester United
Chelsea F.C. Women – current squad | |
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