James McAtee

Early career

McAtee made his first appearance against a senior team for Manchester City's EDS squad in the EFL Trophy defeat against Bolton Wanderers on 29 October 2019. During the 2020–21 season McAtee also played in the EFL Trophy victories over Scunthorpe United, in which he played against his older brother John and Mansfield Town as well as the defeat against Tranmere Rovers. On 24 August 2021, he scored in a 3–0 victory over Scunthorpe United. In the 2021–22 season, he made 28 appearances for the Elite Development Squad (EDS), earning him the Players' Player of the Year award. In November 2020, McAtee scored in a 3–2 victory against Chelsea in the final of the FA Youth Cup and subsequently scored eight goals with nine assists in twenty-three appearances as City were champions of 2020–21 Premier League 2. On 21 September 2021, McAtee made his senior debut as a substitute for Josh Wilson-Esbrand in City's 6–1 home win over Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup. On 21 November 2021, McAtee made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Cole Palmer in a 3–0 home win over Everton.

Loans to Sheffield United

On 4 July 2022, McAtee joined Championship club Sheffield United on a season-long loan alongside Manchester City teammate Tommy Doyle. Sheffield United would progress to the FA Cup semi-final to face Manchester City, alongside Doyle, he was unable to play in the semi-final against his parent club due to FA competition rules forbidding loan players from…

In November 2019, McAtee made his international debut for England U18 and scored twice in a 4–4 draw with Norway. On 6 September 2021, he scored one of England U20's goals in a 6–1 win over Romania. On 6 June 2022, McAtee received his first call up to the England U21s. On 10 June 2022, he made his U21 debut during a 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification 5–0 victory away to Kosovo. In October 2024 McAtee scored the winning goal during a qualifier against Ukraine. On 6 June 2025, it was confirmed that McAtee would captain England at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He scored the opening goal of their quarter-final victory over Spain. McAtee was named player of the match in the final as England defeated Germany after extra time to lift the trophy. His performances during the competition resulted in him being chosen by the UEFA Technical Observer panel for their team of the tournament.

As of match played 29 August 2026

McAtee is the younger brother of Bolton Wanderers striker John McAtee. They are from Walkden. Their father, paternal grandfather and great-uncles played rugby league professionally, and the football players and managers Alan Ball Sr. and Alan Ball Jr. are their maternal great-grandfather and great-uncle respectively.