Lauren Elizabeth 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.

Early life and education 
Lauren Elizabeth James was born on 29 September 2001 in London. She is of Grenadian and Dominican descent through her father, and English descent through her mother.

She attended Whitton School in Whitton, London.

Club career

Arsenal
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 October 2017, James became the second-youngest player in Arsenal's history to make their debut, coming on in the 67th minute to replace Lisa Evans in a 2–0 win over Everton in the 2017–18 season.

Manchester United
 
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. Two weeks later, James was sent off in United's 3–0 league win away to Tottenham Hotspur after receiving two yellow cards. 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.

Chelsea
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 her second season at Chelsea, James made 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring 8 goals, including 5 in the WSL. Her performances in the 2022–23 season won her the Young Player Of The Year Award at the Women's Football Awards as well as the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year Award. In June 2023, it was announced that James had signed a contract to remain at Chelsea until 2027.

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

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.

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.

She scored her first international goal on 16 February 2023 during England's 4–0 victory against South Korea in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup.

On 31 May 2023, James was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023. She scored the only goal in England's 1–0 victory over Denmark in their second Group D fixture, followed by two goals, three assists and a player of the match performance against China in their final group game. In the first game of the knock-out phase, against Nigeria, James was sent off and banned for two games for standing on the back of Nigerian forward Michelle Alozie, officially qualified as "violent conduct". England went on to win on penalties in her absence.

Personal life 
Lauren is the younger sister of Chelsea and England defender Reece James. They are the first brother and sister to represent England at senior level in the modern era.

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."

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each James goal.

Honours
Manchester United
 FA Women's Championship: 2018–19

Chelsea
 FA Women's Super League: 2021–22, 2022–23
 Women's FA Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23

England

 FIFA Women's World Cup runner-up: 2023
 Women's Finalissima: 2023
Arnold Clark Cup: 2023

Individual

 Women's Super League Goal of the Month: February 2023
 FA Women's Championship Player of the Month: September 2018
 North-West Football Awards Women's Rising Star: 2020
 Arnold Clark Cup Player of the Tournament: 2023
 Arnold Clark Cup NXGN Player of the Tournament: 2023
 London Football Awards Women’s Young Player of the Year: 2023
 PFA Women's Young Player of the Year: 2022–23

References

External links

 Profile at the Manchester United F.C. website
 
 

2001 births
Living people
English women's footballers
England women's international footballers
England women's youth international footballers
English sportspeople of Grenadian descent
English people of Dominica descent
Women's Super League players
Arsenal W.F.C. players
Manchester United W.F.C. players
Chelsea F.C. Women players
FA Women's National League players
Women's association football forwards
Footballers from Greater London
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players