Lauren James is no longer just Reece James’ younger sister. With her electric pace, sharp footwork and unshakable composure, she has carved her own name in women’s soccer elite, both at club and international level.
From South West London pitches to starring at Stamford Bridge, her rise has been fueled by quiet determination rather than noise. She moves differently, on and off the ball—and her story reflects that same blend of subtlety and power.
Though headlines often chase her goals or her moments of magic, the real intrigue lies beneath: her roots, the injuries she’s overcome and the calm presence she maintains outside the spotlight. She is rewriting what stardom looks like.
Which team does Lauren James play for?
Since July 2021, Lauren James has been a fixture in the Chelsea Women squad, sporting the No 10 jersey and playing under manager Sonia Bompastor. A Chelsea youth graduate, she returned to the club after spells at Arsenal and Manchester United, quickly establishing herself as a key creative force in the Women’s Super League.
Lauren James of England looks on during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Group D match between England and Wales at Arena St. Gallen on July 13, 2025. (Source: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
On the England stage, she has also emerged as a regular contributor. Her pace, dribbling and unselfish link‑up play have drawn praise from both club and country coaching staffs, placing her firmly among the most watched young talents in the national setup.
How old is Lauren James?
Born 29 September 2001 in London, Lauren James is 23 years old as of mid‑2025. Still young by soccer standards, she’s one of England’s rising stars — already with senior caps and silverware to her name, blending youthful potential with growing responsibility.
How tall is Lauren James?
Lauren James stands at approximately 175 cm (5 ft 9 in), a height that grants her aerial presence and balance in duels while retaining fluid mobility in tight areas. This physical profile supports her roles both as a central forward and a wide creative option in Chelsea’s fluid front line.
Is Lauren James single?
Lauren James carefully manages her privacy, and there’s no publicly confirmed partner as of now. She channels most of her focus into soccer, high-profile brand partnerships (such as with Nike and Cadbury) and philanthropic efforts like her scholarship program.
Lauren James’ family
Lauren is the younger sister of Reece James, Chelsea’s men’s team captain — a sibling duo now central to the club’s identity. Growing up in a soccer-charged household, their shared development reflected both competitive nature and mutual support.
Parents prioritized both athletic ambition and grounded values: their father encouraged early discipline, while their mother ensured a stable childhood amid rising expectations. Together, they have fostered Lauren’s confidence and emotional resilience as her career took flight.
Lauren James’ injury
Lauren James endured a calf injury in late 2024 after signing a contract extension with Chelsea to 2027. That injury sidelined her from October until early 2025 — a period she described as mentally and physically draining but ultimately character-building.
Jessica Carter, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze of England line up for the national anthems with the player mascots prior to the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match. (Source: Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
In April 2025, while representing England against Belgium, she suffered a hamstring injury and exited at halftime. Chelsea confirmed she would be out for a period, returning to club rehabilitation in Cobham.
Manager Sonia Bompastor later reported she was back training and could rejoin squad selection for FA Cup matches by January 2025. England coach Sarina Wiegman also expressed optimism about her recovery ahead of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, noting strong rehabilitation progress.
Despite these setbacks, she rejoined fitness in time for a warm‑up friendly against Jamaica, entering as a substitute and quickly resuming her impact with an assist inside minutes of entering the field.
Lauren James’ career highlights
- Chelsea Return and long-term commitment (2021–2027): After early spells at Arsenal and Manchester United, she rejoined her boyhood club Chelsea in July 2021, signing a four-year contract until 2025—later extended through 2027. Backed by a structured development plan, she gradually emerged as Chelsea’s No. 10 creative hub, blending youthful flair with tactical discipline.
- PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year (2023): A breakthrough 2022–23 season saw her claim the PFA Young Player of the Year award—the first time beating consistent favorite Lauren Hemp. She scored eight goals and provided five assists across all competitions as Chelsea secured both the WSL title and FA Cup, confirming her rise among England’s elite young talents.
- WSL Fans’ Player of the Year & Scoring Feats (2023–24): In the following campaign, James became Chelsea’s top scorer: 13 league goals and 16 in total. She earned the PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Year and was shortlisted for Young Player honors again. Her scoring highlights included back-to-back hat-tricks against Liverpool and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
- Global Recognition & FIFPRO World 11 Shortlist: Her performances in both club and internationals earned her a spot on the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 shortlist for 2023, marking her first chance to be named among the best 11 players globally. Her display at the 2023 Women’s World Cup—with three goals and three assists in limited minutes—strongly influenced fellow players’ votes.
- Finalissima and major international debut (2023): Though debuting only in late 2022, she quickly became central to England’s squad. She featured in the victorious Finalissima 2023 match against Brazil and helped the Lionesses reach the World Cup final in 2023, contributing key goal involvements during the tournament run.
- WSL Titles and domestic dominance (2021–25): Throughout her tenure, she has collected at least four consecutive FA Women’s Super League titles (2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25) and multiple FA Cups. Her growing status has made her a foundational member of Chelsea’s sustained domestic dominance.
