Reece James

Early career

Starting his grassroots playing career at Kew Park Rangers and Epsom Eagles, James signed with Chelsea at the age of six, and had a short spell at West London rivals Fulham when he was seven. He played as a striker idolizing Didier Drogba in his early teens, but was moved to the midfield, and later to a right-back position where he struggled at first. He turned professional with Chelsea in March 2017. During the 2017–18 season he captained the under-18s to win the FA Youth Cup and was named Academy Player of the Season. He signed a new four-year contract with the club in June 2018. In June 2018, James joined Championship club Wigan Athletic on loan for the 2018–19 season. He made his first-team debut on 4 August, starting in Wigan's first game of the season, helping his side to a 3–2 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday. He scored his first goal for Wigan on 4 November, scoring the first goal with a free kick in the sixth minute of a 2–1 home loss to Leeds United. In March 2019, he was selected to the 2018–19 Championship Team of the Season. He won three awards at Wigan Athletic's end of season awards, including Player of the Year.

2019–2021: First-team breakthrough and UEFA Champions League title

On 25 September 2019, James made his debut for Chelsea after returning from injury. He scored his first goal and assisted two in a 7–1 win over Grimsby Town in the third round of the 2019–20 EFL Cup. James became Chelsea's youngest ever goalscorer…

Youth

James has represented England at youth level from under-18 up to under-21. In May 2017, James was included in the under-20 squad for the 2017 Toulon Tournament. He started in the final as England beat the Ivory Coast to retain their title. In July, James was part of the under-19 squad that won the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He started in the semi-final against the Czech Republic. James was a member of the under-20 squad that travelled to the 2019 Toulon Tournament and was carried off on a stretcher with ankle ligament damage during the first half of the final group game defeat to Chile on 7 June 2019. On 4 October, James was included in the under-21 squad for the first time. He made his under-21 debut during the 3–0 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification victory away to Albania on 15 November.

Senior

On 5 October 2020, James was called up for the first time to the senior team by manager Gareth Southgate following an injury to Raheem Sterling. He made his debut on 8 October at Wembley Stadium, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Kieran Trippier in a 3–0 friendly win over Wales. His first start came in a 1–0 loss to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League, where he was sent off for dissent after the final whistle. In June 2021, James was named in England's 26-man squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020. He made one appearance at the tournament, playing the full match against Scotland in a 0–0 draw during the group…

James began playing as a striker, moving to become a winger, then a midfielder, before becoming a right back. His former manager at Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, described him as "strong and influential". For part of his career he had a wing-back partnership with Ben Chilwell at both club and international level. He began to be used in midfield occasionally at Chelsea firstly under Enzo Maresca, who always saw him as a midfielder when deciding to take the job.

Born in Bacup, Lancashire, James began his football career as a youth player with local club Rossendale United, and spent time with Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End before signing for Manchester United in July 2012.

Manchester United

He signed for Carlisle on a half-season loan contract in July 2013, and made his professional debut on the opening day of the 2013–14 season in Carlisle's 5–1 home defeat to Leyton Orient. However, he suffered an injury shortly before half time in Carlisle's penalty shoot-out victory against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup on 7 August, and returned to Manchester United on 24 September 2013. After returning to Manchester United, James was ever-present in the club's reserve team for the remainder of the season, and his performances led to a nomination for the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award, ultimately losing to Saidy Janko. He made his first-team debut in the opening match of the club's pre-season tour of the United States on 23 July 2014, and scored twice from a left-wing-back role as Manchester United beat the LA Galaxy 7–0. On 26 August 2014, he made his only United first-team appearance in the League Cup defeat to Milton Keynes Dons. On 26 November 2014, James was sent on loan to Rotherham United for two months. After eight appearances, including one in the FA Cup, he returned to Manchester United on 26 January 2015. On 26 March, he joined Huddersfield Town on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season. He made…

As of 12 September 2026

James was born in Redbridge, Greater London, growing up in Mortlake, and attending Isleworth and Syon School. He is from a family involved in football; his older brother played, his sister, Lauren, is also a professional footballer, and signed for Chelsea Women in July 2021, and their father Nigel is a football coach. James grew up as a Chelsea fan, with Didier Drogba his favourite player. James credits his father, and Chelsea youth team coaches Frank O'Brien, Joe Edwards, and Jody Morris as having had a major influence on his career. Reece and Lauren are the first brother and sister to represent England at senior level in the modern era. He is of Grenadian and Dominican descent through his father, and English descent through his mother.

James' father, Linton, played non-league football for Bacup Borough and later worked as assistant manager of the club. He attended Fearns Community Sports College. His brother, Matty, who is also a product of the Manchester United academy, currently plays for Wrexham in the EFL League One.

Wigan Athletic

Football League / EFL League One: 2015–16, 2017–18 Sunderland

EFL Trophy runner-up: 2018–19 Sheffield Wednesday

EFL League One play-offs: 2023