Lauren Elizabeth James is an English professional footballer. She plays as a forward for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and represents the England women’s national team.
You can follow Lauren James’s biography, personal details, career details, relationship status, net worth, contract and salary, career earnings, endorsements, career stats, achievements, and more here.
Lauren James’s Biography
| Full Name | Lauren Elizabeth James |
| Nickname | LJ |
| Birth Date | September 29, 2001 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 145 lbs (66 kg) |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Current Club | Chelsea |
| Position | Forward |
| Club Debut Year | 2017 |
| International Debut Year | 2022 |
| Current Net Worth | $1.8 million |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | @lj10 |
Lauren James was born in London, England, on September 29, 2001. She is of mixed heritage, with Grenadian and Dominican roots from her father’s side and English ancestry from her mother’s side.
Her father, Nigel James, is a UEFA-licensed football coach who runs a football training academy. Her brother Reece James is also a professional footballer who plays for Chelsea and the England national team.
Club Career
Lauren James began her senior club career with Arsenal in 2017. James made her debut for Arsenal on October 29, 2017, becoming one of the youngest players to do so.
In July 2018, Lauren James joined Manchester United as part of their inaugural professional squad. Her performances throughout the season were instrumental in Manchester United’s promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL).
During her time at Manchester United, James scored Manchester United’s first-ever WSL goal in a match against Liverpool on September 28, 2019. By the end of the 2019–20 season, she was the club’s top scorer.
Lauren James signed with Chelsea on July 23, 2021. Her debut goal for Chelsea came in a dominant 9–0 win over Leicester City on March 27, 2022. In her 2nd season with Chelsea, she made 33 appearances across all competitions, scoring 8 goals, including 5 in the WSL.
James’s performances during the 2022–23 season earned her several accolades, including the Young Player of the Year Award at the Women’s Football Awards and the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year Award.
International Career
Lauren James received her first senior national team call-up in November 2020 for a training camp at St George’s Park. However, it wasn’t until September 3, 2022, that she made her senior debut as a substitute in a World Cup qualification match against Austria.
Her first international goal came on February 16, 2023, during England’s 4–0 victory over South Korea in the Arnold Clark Cup. Her performance earned her the Player of the Tournament accolade.
James was selected for the England squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. At just 21 years old, she was among the youngest players on the team.
During the tournament, she scored crucial goals, including the only goal in a victory against Denmark and 2 goals with three assists against China.
Relationship Status
Lauren James is currently single and not in a relationship. She has chosen to keep her personal and romantic life private, focusing primarily on her professional football career.
Lauren James’s Net Worth Details
Lauren James’s net worth is estimated to be $1.8 million as of 2025. This figure reflects her earnings from her football career and endorsements with major brands.
Contract and Salary
Lauren James signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea in June 2023, which extends her stay with the club until the summer of 2027. This contract renewal follows her initial four-year contract signed when she rejoined Chelsea from Manchester United in July 2021.
Lauren James reportedly earns an annual salary of approximately £350,000 from Chelsea. Her contract details include various performance-related bonuses that enhance her overall earnings.
Earnings
| Year | Club | Annual Salary (£) |
| 2021 | Chelsea | £350,000 |
| 2022 | Chelsea | £350,000 |
| 2023 | Chelsea | £350,000 |
| 2024 | Chelsea | £350,000 |
Endorsements
Lauren has secured endorsement deals with several high-profile brands including Nike, Google Pixel, Optimum Nutrition, Barclays, and Sure. These partnerships highlight her marketability and influence beyond the football field.
Career Stats
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals |
| 2017-2018 | Arsenal | 5 | 0 |
| 2018-2021 | Manchester United | 40 | 22 |
| 2021-Present | Chelsea | 25 | 7 |
Achievements
- PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year (2023)
- Best Player at Arnold Clark Cup (2023)
- Young Player of the Year Award at Women’s Football Awards (2023)
FAQs
1. Who is Lauren James?
Lauren James is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Chelsea FC Women and the England women’s national team. Born on September 29, 2001, in London, she began her youth career at Chelsea and later played for Arsenal and Manchester United before returning to Chelsea in 2021.
2. What are Lauren James’ notable achievements?
Lauren James has won multiple Women’s Super League (WSL) titles and FA Cups with Chelsea. She was named PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season. At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she became the first English player to record five goal contributions in a single match.
3. When did Lauren James make her England debut?
Lauren James made her senior England debut on September 3, 2022, as a substitute in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Austria. She had previously represented England at U17 and U19 levels.
4. What teams has Lauren James played for?
Lauren James started her senior career with Arsenal in 2017, moved to Manchester United in 2018, and joined Chelsea in 2021. She has also been a key player for the England women’s national team since 2022.
5. How is Lauren James related to Reece James?
Lauren James is the younger sister of Reece James, a professional footballer who plays for Chelsea and the England men’s national team. They are the first brother-sister duo to represent England at senior level in modern football history.
6. What is Lauren James’ playing style?
Lauren James is known for her technical skills, strength, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. She can play as a forward, attacking midfielder, or winger and is celebrated for her creativity and finishing ability.
7. What challenges has Lauren James faced in her career?
Lauren has dealt with injuries that affected her playing time, including during her return to Chelsea in 2021 and in 2024 when a calf injury sidelined her for several months. Despite these setbacks, she consistently worked hard to regain form.
8. What are Lauren James’ contributions off the pitch?
Lauren launched a scholarship program aimed at increasing diversity in women’s football by supporting young girls from minority backgrounds during their early football careers.
9. What are Lauren James’ career statistics?
Lauren has made over 49 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 22 goals. For England’s senior team, she has earned 27 caps and scored seven goals since her debut.
10. What inspires Lauren James?
Lauren credits her father, Nigel James, a UEFA-licensed coach, as her biggest influence. Growing up playing football with her brothers inspired her passion for the game and shaped her journey as a professional athlete.
