Jess Simpson (footballer)

For the American football coach, see Jess Simpson (coach).

Jess Simpson
Personal information
Full name Jessica Simpson
Date of birth (2005-01-13) 13 January 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Clitheroe, Lancashire, England
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 38
Youth career
Burnley
Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Manchester United 0 (0)
2023–2024 → Bristol City (loan) 1 (0)
International career‡
2021–2022 England U17 5 (0)
2022–2023 England U19 5 (1)
2024– England U23 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:12, 24 November 2024 (UTC)[2]
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:47, 3 December 2024 (UTC)[1]

Jessica Simpson (born 13 January 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Manchester United and the England under-23 national team.

Early life

Simpson is from Clitheroe, in the Borough of Ribble Valley, Lancashire. She is from a sporting family background and her grandad previously played for Accrington Stanley.[3]

Youth career

A product of the Manchester United Academy,[4] Simpson began playing football aged four, joining Burnley aged ten. She then joined United aged eleven,[3] followed by featuring for the under-16s,[5] under-21s,[6] and the academy team of the Professional Game League.[7] Simpson featured in the under-21 side that won the Academy League and Cup in the 2021–22 season.[8][9]

Club career

Manchester United

On 27 January 2023, Simpson signed her first professional contract with WSL side Manchester United. She made her senior debut for United in a friendly match against Birkirkara FC in Malta.[9][10]

In July 2024, she returned to training after her injury on loan to Bristol.[11] Her shirt number was confirmed as 38 for the 2024–25 season.[12] On 20 November, Simpson made her competitive debut for United in the 2024–25 League Cup against Everton, as a 60th minute substitute for a 2–0 victory.[13]

Bristol City (loan)

On 14 September 2023,[14] on deadline day,[4] Simspon joined Women's Championship club Bristol City on loan for the 2023–24 season.[15]

On 21 October 2024, Simpson returned to United having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the League Cup match against Southampton.[16][17] Simpson was one of three United players to suffer from the injury in the season.[18]

International career

On 11 October 2022, for 2023 U19 Championship qualification, Simpson scored her debut youth international goal for the England under-19s in a 1–1 draw with Denmark.[19] On 2 December 2024, she made her debut for the under-23s in a 2–1 defeat to Sweden as part of a European competition.[20]

Personal life

In 2022 Simpson was studying sports science for a BTEC, with the intent to move to the United States. In 2023, she officiated the opening of a new multi-million pound facility in Blackpool.[21][22] Simson is an ambassador Dan's Trust, a charity that has helped her with a grant towards her football career.[3]

References

  1. ^ Jess Simpson at Flashscore.com
  2. ^ Jess Simpson at Soccerway
  3. ^ a b c Newton, Susan (8 May 2022). "Young footballer living her dream playing for United and England at only 17". Lancs Live. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b Dougherty, Noah (14 September 2023). "Simpson joins City". Bristol City FC. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Manchester United Foundation U16 Girls | FA Girls' England Talent Pathway League". The FA. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Manchester United Women FC U21 WSLA | Professional Game Academy League". The FA. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Manchester United Women's FC Academy | Professional Game Academy League". The FA. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Jess Simpson | Manchester United Women Player Profile". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b Feringa, Megan (28 January 2023). "Duo sign first pro contracts at Man Utd in major statement for youth pathway". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Man Utd hand first professional contracts to Safia Middleton-Patel & Jess Simpson". 90min. 27 January 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  11. ^ Ganley, Joe (30 July 2024). "Gabby George and Jess Simpson back in training". Manchester United F.C. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  12. ^ Humphrey, Megan (31 July 2024). "Man Utd Women: Confirmed shirt numbers for 2024/25 season". 90min. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  13. ^ Hodges, Joe (20 November 2024). "Confirmed: Our Player of the Match at Everton". Manchester United F.C. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Women's Super League deadline day - updates and latest news". BBC Sport. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Manchester United transfer news: Gabby George, Irene Guerrero, Tullis-Joyce & Melvine Malard join". BBC Sport. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Simpson returns from loan with ACL injury". Manchester United F.C. 21 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  17. ^ Dougherty, Noah (21 October 2023). "Simpson returns to Manchester United". Bristol City FC. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  18. ^ Spencer, Jamie (23 October 2023). "'I'm a proper footballer again' - Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema sends out emotional message after making long-awaited return to action after ACL injury". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  19. ^ Frith, Wilf (11 October 2022). "England Women U-19s draw with Danes". SheKicks. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  20. ^ Hunt, Holly (2 December 2024). "Report: England WU23s 1-2 Sweden". England Football. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  21. ^ Farnworth, Amy (2 July 2023). "New £6 million sports village opens in this Lancashire town". Lancashire Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  22. ^ Hunt, Richard (3 July 2023). "Multi-million sports village in Blackpool - boasting 14 pitches - is officially launched". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 December 2024.