Lauren James

Lauren James (born 29 September 2001) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for FA WSL club Manchester United.

Lauren James
Lauren James playing for Manchester United in February 2019
Personal information
Full name Lauren James
Date of birth (2001-09-29) 29 September 2001
Place of birth England
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 16
Youth career
2014–2017 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Arsenal 5 (0)
2018– Manchester United 37 (21)
National team‡
2017–2018 England U17 6 (6)
2019– England U19 11 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 January 2020

Club career

Arsenal

James was scouted by Arsenal as a 13-year old and trained with the boy's team, but within two years she began training with the first team.[1] 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.[2] In doing so, she became the second-youngest player in Arsenal's history to make their debut.[1]

Manchester United
James playing for Manchester United against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019.

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.[3] She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool, on 19 August.[4] 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.[5] James was voted FA Women's Championship player of the month for September following her three goals across Manchester United's unbeaten opening month.[6] On 20 April 2019, James scored four goals in a 7–0 league win against Crystal Palace.[7]

James scored United's first ever WSL goal, netting in the 71st minute in a 2–0 win against Liverpool on 28 September 2019.[8] Two weeks later, James was sent off in United's 3–0 league win away to Tottenham Hotspur after receiving two yellow cards.[9] James signed her first professional contract with the club on 16 December.[10] 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.[11]

International career

Youth

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.[12] In July 2019, James was named in the England squad for the 2019 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Scotland.[13]

Senior

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.[14]

Personal life

James is the younger sister of Chelsea defender Reece James.[15] 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."[16]

She attended Whitton School in Whitton, London.[17]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 31 January 2021.[18]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2017–18 WSL 1 50003181
Manchester United 2018–19 Championship 181432612717
2019–20 WSL 1261152189
2020–21 71001081
Total 3721431235327
Career total 4221431546128
  1. Includes the Women's FA Cup
  2. Includes the WSL Cup/Women's League Cup

Honours

Club

Manchester United

Individual

References
  1. Kershaw, Tom (14 August 2019). "Manchester United Women's Lauren James: 'At first boys would ask why I'm training with them, but after a few weeks they realised'". The Independent. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  2. "Everton Ladies 0–2 Arsenal Ladies". 29 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  3. "United Women's Squad – Player by Player". 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  4. Drudge, Harriet (19 August 2018). "MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL WOMEN 0 UNITED WOMEN 1". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  5. "MATCH REPORT: ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED WOMEN 12". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  6. "Award for Man Utd hotshot". thefa.com. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  7. Bath, Adam (20 April 2019). "Match report for Man United Women v Crystal Palace Ladies 20 April 2019". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  8. Bostock, Adam (28 September 2019). "Manchester United Women 2 Liverpool 0". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  9. Carney, Sam (13 October 2019). "Tottenham Hotspur Women 0 Manchester United Women 3". ManUtd.com. Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  10. "Lauren James signs professional contract at United Women". ManUtd.com. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  11. "Liverpool and Manchester City dominate PFA Player of the Year shortlist". Sky Sports. 4 September 2020.
  12. Association, The Football. "England Women's U19 squad named for Algarve Tournament". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  13. "England squad named for UEFA Women's U19 Finals". thefa.com. The Football Association. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  14. "England Women's boss has selected a 29-strong squad for the final meet-up of 2020". thefa.com. The Football Association. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  15. Rudd, Alyson (3 November 2018). "Brother and sister who are giving dad a very difficult decision to make". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  16. "Testimonials". www.nigeljameselitecoaching.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  17. Weich, Ben (20 January 2017). "Teenage football prodigy wins call up to England youth team". Richmond & Twickenham Times. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  18. "Lauren James player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  19. "Man Utd Women 7–0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  20. "Manchester United recognised at North-West Football awards". www.manutd.com.
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