Lauren James

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 is the younger sister of Chelsea and England defender Reece James. She has cited her father Nigel, a UEFA licensed football coach, as inspiration. She is of Jamaican descent through her father, and attended Whitton School in Whitton, London.

A Welcome Note

You’re welcome to my official website. Here, you will find the most reliable information about me, my activities on and off the pitch, and links to my (approved) Social Media Profiles.

Thanks a lot for being there!

Career In Numbers

As of match played 4 December 2022

Games Played

1 +

Career Goals

1 +

Major Honors

Journey to Stardom

My Career Path As a Professional Footballer

Arsenal FC

Manchester United

Chelsea FC

England National Team

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. 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.

In doing so, she became the second-youngest player in Arsenal’s history to make their debut.

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. She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool, on 19 August. 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. James was voted FA Women’s Championship player of the month for September following her three goals across Manchester United’s unbeaten opening month. On 20 April 2019, James scored four goals in a 7–0 league win against Crystal Palace.

James scored United’s first ever WSL goal, netting in the 71st minute in a 2–0 win against Liverpool on 28 September 2019. James signed her first professional contract with the club on 16 December. 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.

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.

On 23 July 2021, James signed a four-year contract with Chelsea. She scored her first goal for the club in a 9-0 away win against Leicester City on 27 March 2022

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. In July 2019, James was named in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Scotland.

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.

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.