WikiMini

James McAtee

James McAtee
McAtee with Manchester City in 2025
Personal information
Full name James John McAtee[1]
Date of birth (2002-10-18) 18 October 2002 (age 22)[2]
Place of birth Salford, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
Nottingham Forest
Number 24
Youth career
2013–2021 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2025 Manchester City 18 (3)
2022–2024Sheffield United (loan) 67 (12)
2025– Nottingham Forest 1 (0)
International career
2019 England U18 3 (2)
2021–2022 England U20 5 (2)
2022–2025 England U21 24 (8)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  England
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner 2025 Slovakia
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:07, 24 August 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 21:37, 28 June 2025 (UTC)

James John McAtee (born 18 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or winger for Premier League club Nottingham Forest and the England national under-21 team.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

McAtee made his first appearance against a senior team for Manchester City's EDS squad in the EFL Trophy defeat against Bolton Wanderers on 29 October 2019.[3] During the 2020–21 season McAtee also played in the EFL Trophy victories over Scunthorpe United,[4] in which he played against his older brother John and Mansfield Town[5] as well as the defeat against Tranmere Rovers.[6] On 24 August 2021, he scored in a 3–0 victory over Scunthorpe United.[7] In the 2021–22 season, he made 28 appearances for the Elite Development Squad (EDS), earning him the Players' Player of the Year award.[8]

In November 2020, McAtee scored in a 3–2 victory against Chelsea in the final of the FA Youth Cup[9] and subsequently scored eight goals with nine assists in twenty-three appearances as City were champions of 2020–21 Premier League 2.[10]

On 21 September 2021, McAtee made his senior debut as a substitute for Josh Wilson-Esbrand in City's 6–1 home win over Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup.[11] On 21 November 2021, McAtee made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Cole Palmer in a 3–0 home win over Everton.[12]

Loans to Sheffield United

[edit]
McAtee playing for Manchester City in 2023

On 4 July 2022, McAtee joined Championship club Sheffield United on a season-long loan alongside Manchester City teammate Tommy Doyle. Sheffield United would progress to the FA Cup semi-final to face Manchester City, alongside Doyle, he was unable to play in the semi-final against his parent club due to FA competition rules forbidding loan players from facing their parent clubs.[13]

During pre-season, McAtee returned to City and was part of the first team's squad that travelled to Asia. On 11 August 2023 he came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Kyle Walker in City's opening day Premier League victory at Burnley. On 27 August he was an unused substitute in the 2–1 win away at Sheffield United. Five days later on 1 September, he re-joined Sheffield United on a season-long loan.[14][15][16] On 9 December 2023, McAtee scored his first Premier League goal against Brentford, the solo goal in Sheffield United's 1–0 win.[17]

Return to Manchester City

[edit]

For the 2024–25 season, McAtee rejoined City and featured in their USA pre-season tour.[18] On 1 October 2024, McAtee scored his first City goal in the UEFA Champions League in a 4–0 win over Slovan Bratislava after coming on as a substitute for Erling Haaland.[19]

On 11 January 2025, McAtee scored the first hat-trick of his career in an 8–0 home victory over Salford City in the FA Cup third round.[20] On 19 January, McAtee scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester City, scoring the sixth goal of a 6–0 away victory at Ipswich Town.[21]

Nottingham Forest

[edit]

On 16 August 2025, Premier League club Nottingham Forest announced the signing of McAtee on a five-year contract for a fee close to £30 million.[22][23][24]

International career

[edit]

In November 2019, McAtee made his international debut for England U18 and scored twice in a 4–4 draw with Norway.[25] On 6 September 2021, he scored one of England U20's goals in a 6–1 win over Romania.[26]

On 6 June 2022, McAtee received his first call up to the England U21s.[27] On 10 June 2022, he made his U21 debut during a 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification 5–0 victory away to Kosovo.[28] In October 2024 McAtee scored the winning goal during a qualifier against Ukraine.[29]

On 6 June 2025, it was confirmed that McAtee would captain England at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[30] He scored the opening goal of their quarter-final victory over Spain.[31] McAtee was named player of the match in the final as England defeated Germany after extra time to lift the trophy.[32][33] His performances during the competition resulted in him being chosen by the UEFA Technical Observer panel for their team of the tournament.[34]

Personal life

[edit]

McAtee is the younger brother of Bolton Wanderers striker John McAtee.[35] They are from Walkden.[36] Their father, paternal grandfather and great-uncles played rugby league professionally,[37] and the football players and managers Alan Ball Sr. and Alan Ball Jr. are their maternal great-grandfather and great-uncle respectively.[38]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 24 August 2025[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 2021–22 Premier League 2 0 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 0 0 6 0
2023–24 Premier League 1 0 0 0 1 0
2024–25 Premier League 15 3 4 3 2 0 5[a] 1 1[b] 0 27 7
Total 18 3 6 3 3 0 6 1 1 0 34 7
Sheffield United (loan) 2022–23 Championship 37 9 5 0 1 0 43 9
2023–24 Premier League 30 3 2 2 0 0 32 5
Total 67 12 7 2 1 0 75 14
Nottingham Forest 2025–26 Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 85 14 13 5 4 0 6 1 1 0 109 20
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield

Honours

[edit]

Manchester City Youth

Manchester City

England U21

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b "James McAtee". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Report: Bolton Wanderers 3–1 Manchester City U21s". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Report: Iron 0–4 Manchester City U21s". Scunthorpe United F.C. 29 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  5. ^ Curry, Aaron (8 September 2020). "Report: Stags 0–3 Manchester City U21". Mansfield Town F.C. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Report: Tranmere 2–1 Man City U21s". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  7. ^ O'Regan, Luke (24 August 2021). "Report: Iron 0–3 Manchester City U21s". Scunthorpe United F.C. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  8. ^ Shah, Jainil (2 June 2025). "Scouting James McAtee: Strengths, Weaknesses and Tactical fit at Tottenham". To The Lane And Back. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b Bajkowski, Simon (2 November 2020). "Man City 3–2 Chelsea RECAP and highlights from FA Youth Cup final as McAtee, Rogers and Palmer score". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  10. ^ Smith, Jonathan (21 September 2021). "James McAtee: Man City's 'Salford Silva' who turned his back on Man Utd". Goal. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Manchester City 6–1 Wycombe: Holders come from behind to reach last 16". BBC Sport. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  12. ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (21 November 2021). "Manchester City 3-0 Everton: Raheem Sterling on target in routine win for champions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Sheffield United: Rules prevent Blades fielding Manchester City loan pair in FA Cup semi-final". BBC Sport. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  14. ^ McNulty, Phil (11 August 2023). "Burnley 0-3 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  15. ^ Bate, Adam (27 August 2023). "Sheffield United 1-2 Man City: Rodri's late rocket sends City top despite Erling Haaland's penalty miss". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  16. ^ Brown, Paul (1 September 2023). "McAtee rejoins Sheffield United on loan". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford". ESPN. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  18. ^ Lee, Sam (24 July 2024). "Manchester City 3 Celtic 4 – McAtee impresses, Phillips struggles, Haaland scores". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  19. ^ Edwards, Luke (1 October 2024). "Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City live: Score and latest updates from Champions League". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  20. ^ Stone, Simon (11 January 2025). "Manchester City 8–0 Salford City: Jack Grealish ends drought in FA Cup romp". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  21. ^ Rose, Gary (19 January 2025). "Ipswich Town 0–6 Manchester City: Man city thrash Ipswich to move back into Premier League top four". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Forest sign James McAtee". Nottingham Forest F.C. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  23. ^ "McAtee signs for Nottingham Forest". Manchester City F.C. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  24. ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (16 August 2025). "Forest complete Hutchinson and McAtee signings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  25. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (16 November 2019). "A thrilling Game in Pinatar, as the young Lions come back from behind to draw 4–4". The Football Association. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  26. ^ "England's Men's Under-20s in impressive form at St. George's Park against Romania". The Football Association. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Squad Updates: White withdraws as McAtee joins the MU21s". England Football. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  28. ^ Eddison, Paul (10 June 2022). "Match report: Kosovo 0-5 England MU21s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  29. ^ Khalique-Loona, Hamzah (11 October 2024). "England U21 v Ukraine U21: James McAtee scores late double". The Times. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  30. ^ "McAtee to captain England U21 at Euros". ManCity.com. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  31. ^ Mashiter, Nick (21 June 2025). "England U21 3-1 Spain U21". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  32. ^ a b Mashiter, Nick (28 June 2025). "England 3-2 Germany: England defend Euro U21s title with dramatic extra-time win over Germany - reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  33. ^ Stokes, Jake; Mullock, Simon (28 June 2025). "Man City star leads England to dramatic win over Germany in U21 Euros final". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  34. ^ a b "2025 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  35. ^ Bajkowski, Simon (14 October 2020). "James McAtee is growing into Man City role as he follows Phil Foden path". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  36. ^ Bajkowski, James (17 March 2023). "Meet the McAtees". Manchester Evening News. MEN. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  37. ^ Critchley, Mike (29 September 2021). "James McAtee, son of former Saint, in Manchester City Champions League squad". St Helens Star. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  38. ^ Somers, Kelly; Woodcock, Ian (17 March 2023). "John & James McAtee on FA Cup runs, sibling rivalry and Mother's Day". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  39. ^ James McAtee at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  40. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (2 November 2020). "Manchester City win the 2020 FA Youth Cup after thrilling win over Chelsea at SGP". The Football Association. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  41. ^ "Manchester City 1–1 Manchester United: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  42. ^ "Manchester City 1–1 (5-4p) Sevilla". UEFA. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  43. ^ Leigh, Neil (12 May 2022). "Quintet recognised at academy player of the year awards". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  44. ^ "Man City's McAtee wins August 2021 PL2 Player of the Month". Premier League. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  45. ^ "Man City's McAtee named PL2 Player of the Season". Premier League. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
[edit]