England's James signs new contract with Chelsea

Lauren James previously played for Arsenal and Manchester United England forward Lauren James has signed a new contract with Chelsea that keeps her at the club until 2030. The 24-year-old, who started her youth career with the club, returned in 2021 when she joined from Manchester United. James has scored 31 goals in 105 appearances for the Blues, becoming a key player despite injury disrupting her time in London. "I'm really happy and over the moon to have signed a new contract with Chelsea," said James. "It's been my club since I was young. I can't wait to make more memories, hopefully have more success and win more trophies with this amazing club." She was part of the squad that won an unbeaten domestic treble last season, picking up her fourth successive Women's Super League title. The forward has also won three FA Cups with Chelsea and will be hoping to add a second Women's League Cup trophy in Sunday's final against United (14:15 GMT). With her existing contract expiring in 2027, James has signed a new deal on the same day as her brother Reece - who captains the men's team and agreed a six-year extension. The Lionesses forward has picked up several individual accolades during her time at Chelsea, including the club's player of the season in 2023-24 and the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2022-23. She made her debut for the Lionesses in 2022 and helped England defend their European title in Switzerland last summer. Chelsea Women's chief executive officer Aki Mandhar said: "Lauren is one of the most technically gifted players this country has produced, and she is Chelsea through and through. "Everyone connected to the club is extremely proud of everything she has achieved in blue and we're looking forward to the next chapter of her journey." Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Russell wins eventful Chinese GP sprint race 'Scotland's wild ride from false dawns and fatalism to tilt at history' Would Arsenal be 'ugliest title winners in history'? What stats say Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and more movies that made Guillermo del Toro Celebrated actor Jessie Buckley picks her Desert Island Discs A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Behind the making of one of Hollywood's most quotable films Too good to go down? Ranking shock Premier League relegations Divisive, ruthless, brilliant - how Galthie helped France find their mojo Would Arsenal be 'ugliest title winners in history'? What stats say The numbers behind Borthwick's nightmare Six Nations How do Scots beat 'nemesis' Ireland for first time in 12 meetings? Jason Tindall - the most misunderstood man in football? Why London Spirit spent £390,000 on uncapped Sussex all-rounder Coles From best in league to bench - Foden's mysterious loss of form Meet ParalympicsGB's 26th team member Winter Paralympics daily guide: Six golds to be decided on Saturday The Brits travelling in their thousands to 'Costa del Cheltenham' Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.