Reece James (footballer, born 1999)


Reece James is an English professional footballer who plays as a full back for club Chelsea.

Club career

Born in London, James joined Chelsea at the age of six and turned professional in March 2017.
with Chelsea's academy
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. Later that month he joined Wigan Athletic on loan for the 2018–19 season.
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.
On 25 September 2019, James made his first team debut for Chelsea after returning from injury. He scored one goal and assisted two in a 7–1 win over Grimsby Town in the third round of the EFL Cup.
James became Chelsea’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Champions League when he scored the fourth goal of their 4–4 comeback draw with Ajax on 5 November 2019.
He signed a long-term contract extension with Chelsea on 16 January 2020.

International career

He has represented England at youth level from under-17 up to under-21. In May 2017, James was included in an under-20 squad for the 2017 Toulon Tournament. He started in the final as England defeated the Ivory Coast to retain their title.
In July 2017, 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 2019, 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 2019.

Personal life

He belongs to a footballing family, where his sister, Lauren is also a professional footballer for Manchester United's Women's team.
He attended Isleworth and Syon School.

Career statistics

Honours

Chelsea Youth
Chelsea
England U19
England U20
Individual