{{Short description|English footballer (born 2002)}} {{Distinguish|James McAteer|Jason McAteer}} {{Use British English|date=January 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox football biography |name = James McAtee |image = James McAtee in 2024.jpg |caption = McAtee with Manchester City in 2025 |full_name = James John McAtee<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3681595 |title=2023/24 Premier League squad lists |publisher=Premier League |date=13 September 2023 |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref> |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|10|18|df=y}}<ref name="11v11">{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/james-mcatee-268533/|title=James McAtee |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref> |birth_place = Salford, England |height = {{convert|1.80|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=McAtee, James John McAtee - Footballer {{!}} BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j41307.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=www.bdfutbol.com}}</ref> |position = Midfielder, winger |currentclub = Nottingham Forest |clubnumber = 24 |youthyears1 = 2013–2021 |youthclubs1 = Manchester City |years1 = 2021–2025 |clubs1 = Manchester City |caps1 = 18 |goals1 = 3 |years2 = 2022–2024 |clubs2 = → Sheffield United (loan) |caps2 = 67 |goals2 = 12 |years3 = 2025– |clubs3 = Nottingham Forest |caps3 = 13 |goals3 = 0 |nationalyears1 = 2019 |nationalteam1 = England U18 |nationalcaps1 = 3 |nationalgoals1 = 2 |nationalyears2 = 2021–2022 |nationalteam2 = England U20 |nationalcaps2 = 5 |nationalgoals2 = 2 |nationalyears3 = 2022–2025 |nationalteam3 = England U21 |nationalcaps3 = 24 |nationalgoals3 = 8 |pcupdate = 17:05, 17 May 2026 (UTC) |ntupdate = 21:37, 28 June 2025 (UTC) |medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ENG}}}} {{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}} {{Medal|W|2025 Slovakia|}} }}
'''James John McAtee''' (born 18 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or winger for {{English football updater|NottingF}} club Nottingham Forest.
==Club career== ===Early career=== 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2019/october/report-bolton-wanderers-3-1-manchester-city-u21s/|publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C.|date=29 October 2019|access-date=22 September 2021|title=Report: Bolton Wanderers 3–1 Manchester City U21s}}</ref> During the 2020–21 season McAtee also played in the EFL Trophy victories over Scunthorpe United,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-iron-v-manchester-city-u21s/|publisher=Scunthorpe United F.C.|date=29 September 2020|access-date=22 September 2021|title=Report: Iron 0–4 Manchester City U21s|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802184918/https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-iron-v-manchester-city-u21s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> in which he played against his older brother John and Mansfield Town<ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Stags 0–3 Manchester City U21|url=https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/september/match-report-for-mansfield-town-vs-manchester-city-u21-on-08-sep-20/|first=Aaron|last=Curry|publisher=Mansfield Town F.C.|date=8 September 2020|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> as well as the defeat against Tranmere Rovers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/december/report-tranmere-2-1-man-city-u21s/|publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C.|date=8 December 2020|access-date=22 September 2021|title=Report: Tranmere 2–1 Man City U21s}}</ref> On 24 August 2021, he scored in a 3–0 victory over Scunthorpe United.<ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Iron 0–3 Manchester City U21s|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2021/august/report-iron-v-manchester-city-u21s/|first=Luke|last=O'Regan|publisher=Scunthorpe United F.C.|date=24 August 2021|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927200323/https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2021/august/report-iron-v-manchester-city-u21s/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 2021–22 season, he made 28 appearances for the Elite Development Squad (EDS), earning him the Players' Player of the Year award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Jainil|date=2 June 2025|title=Scouting James McAtee: Strengths, Weaknesses and Tactical fit at Tottenham|url=https://tothelaneandback.com/2025/06/02/scouting-james-mcatee-strengths-weaknesses-and-tactical-fit-at-tottenham/|access-date=3 June 2025|website=To The Lane And Back|language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2020, McAtee scored in a 3–2 victory against Chelsea in the final of the FA Youth Cup<ref name="youth">{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-youth-cup-highlights-19207980|title=Man City 3–2 Chelsea RECAP and highlights from FA Youth Cup final as McAtee, Rogers and Palmer score|first=Simon|last=Bajkowski|website=Manchester Evening News|date=2 November 2020|access-date=23 September 2021}}</ref> and subsequently scored eight goals with nine assists in twenty-three appearances as City were champions of 2020–21 Premier League 2.<ref>{{cite news|title=James McAtee: Man City's 'Salford Silva' who turned his back on Man Utd|url=https://www.goal.com/en-au/news/james-mcatee-man-city-salford-silva-turned-back-man-utd/6oxh9ddojcxx1db7xq64xj0qh|first=Jonathan|last=Smith|publisher=Goal|date=21 September 2021|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58553818 |title=Manchester City 6–1 Wycombe: Holders come from behind to reach last 16 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 September 2021 |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> On 21 November 2021, McAtee made his Premier League debut as a substitute for Cole Palmer in a 3–0 home win over Everton.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sutcliffe|first=Steve|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59278626 |title=Manchester City 3–0 Everton: Raheem Sterling on target in routine win for champions |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 November 2021 |access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref>
===Loans to Sheffield United=== [[File:Yokohama F. Marinos - Manchester City (3-5) - 53074500727 (James McAtee).jpg|thumb|upright|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65013232|title=Sheffield United: Rules prevent Blades fielding Manchester City loan pair in FA Cup semi-final|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 March 2023|access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66402155|title=Burnley 0–3 Manchester City|first=Phil|last=McNulty|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 August 2023|access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12946126/sheffield-united-1-2-man-city-rodris-rocket-decides-it-late-as-city-go-top-despite-erling-haalands-penalty-miss|title=Sheffield United 1–2 Man City: Rodri's late rocket sends City top despite Erling Haaland's penalty miss|first=Adam|last=Bate|website=Sky Sports|date=27 August 2023|access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/james-mcatee-loan-63829173|title=McAtee rejoins Sheffield United on loan|first=Paul|last=Brown|website=Manchester City F.C.|date=1 September 2023|access-date=1 September 2023}}</ref> On 9 December 2023, McAtee scored his first Premier League goal against Brentford, the solo goal in Sheffield United's 1–0 win.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/671183/brentford-sheffield-united|publisher=ESPN|title=Sheffield United 1–0 Brentford|date=9 December 2023|access-date=1 October 2024}}</ref>
===Return to Manchester City=== For the 2024–25 season, McAtee rejoined City and featured in their USA pre-season tour.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Sam |title=Manchester City 3 Celtic 4 – McAtee impresses, Phillips struggles, Haaland scores |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5652540/2024/07/23/manchester-city-celtic-friendly-haaland/ |date=24 July 2024|access-date=1 October 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/10/01/slovan-bratislava-vs-man-city-live-score-champions-league/|url-access=subscription|title=Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City live: Score and latest updates from Champions League|first=Luke|last=Edwards|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=1 October 2024|accessdate=1 October 2024}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-01-11 |title=Manchester City 8–0 Salford City: Jack Grealish ends drought in FA Cup romp |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crmngkjg221t |access-date=2025-01-11 |first=Simon |last=Stone |website=BBC Sport |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-01-19 |title=Ipswich Town 0–6 Manchester City: Man city thrash Ipswich to move back into Premier League top four |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cwyp4y9q6xpt |access-date=2025-01-19 |first=Gary |last=Rose |website=BBC Sport |language=en}}</ref>
===Nottingham Forest=== 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2025/august/16/forest-sign-james-mcatee/ |title=Forest sign James McAtee |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. |date=16 August 2025 |access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/james-mcatee-exit-manchester-city-nottingham-forest-63890966 |title=McAtee signs for Nottingham Forest |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |date=16 August 2025 |access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sutcliffe |first=Steve |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx27e6wgxrlo |title=Forest complete Hutchinson and McAtee signings |website=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2025 |access-date=16 August 2025}}</ref>
==International career== In November 2019, McAtee made his international debut for England U18 and scored twice in a 4–4 draw with Norway.<ref>{{cite news|title=A thrilling Game in Pinatar, as the young Lions come back from behind to draw 4–4|url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2019/nov/16/england-mu18s-norway-report-161119|first=Nicholas|last=Veevers|publisher=The Football Association|date=16 November 2019|access-date=23 September 2021}}</ref> On 6 September 2021, he scored one of England U20's goals in a 6–1 win over Romania.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2021/sep/07/u20-v-romania-report-sgp-20210907|publisher=The Football Association|date=7 September 2021|access-date=23 September 2021|title=England's Men's Under-20s in impressive form at St. George's Park against Romania}}</ref>
On 6 June 2022, McAtee received his first call up to the England U21s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/May/30/england-squad-updates-june-2022-20220530|publisher=England Football|date=6 September 2022|access-date=6 June 2022|title=Squad Updates: White withdraws as McAtee joins the MU21s}}</ref> On 10 June 2022, he made his U21 debut during a 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification 5–0 victory away to Kosovo.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Jun/10/england-mu21s-kosovo-match-u21-euro-qualifier-report-20221006|title=Match report: Kosovo 0–5 England MU21s|first=Paul|last=Eddison|website=EnglandFootball.com|date=10 June 2022|access-date=12 June 2022}}</ref> In October 2024 McAtee scored the winning goal during a qualifier against Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/england-ukraine-u21-result-james-mcatee-5s85vj5gq|url-access=subscription|title=England U21 v Ukraine U21: James McAtee scores late double|first=Hamzah|last=Khalique-Loona|website=The Times|date=11 October 2024|accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref>
On 6 June 2025, it was confirmed that McAtee would captain England at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 June 2025|title=McAtee to captain England U21 at Euros|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/james-mcatee-england-u21-squad-63884796|access-date=13 June 2025|website=ManCity.com}}</ref> He scored the opening goal of their quarter-final victory over Spain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cp86mjyr58dt|title=England U21 3–1 Spain U21|first=Nick|last=Mashiter|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 June 2025|access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref> McAtee was named player of the match in the final as England defeated Germany after extra time to lift the trophy.<ref name="U21">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cz6g18dz2dpt#Report|title=England 3–2 Germany: England defend Euro U21s title with dramatic extra-time win over Germany – reaction|first=Nick|last=Mashiter|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2025|access-date=28 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-star-leads-england-31954680|title=Man City star leads England to dramatic win over Germany in U21 Euros final|first1=Jake|last1=Stokes|first2=Simon|last2=Mullock|website=Manchester Evening News|date=28 June 2025|access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref> His performances during the competition resulted in him being chosen by the UEFA Technical Observer panel for their team of the tournament.<ref name="tott">{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/029b-1e218d6c7f6f-b542bb91eb18-1000--2025-under-21-euro-team-of-the-tournament/|title=2025 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament|website=UEFA|date=1 July 2025|access-date=2 July 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== McAtee is the younger brother of Bolton Wanderers striker John McAtee.<ref>{{cite news|title=James McAtee is growing into Man City role as he follows Phil Foden path|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-mcatee-interview-man-city-19101850|first=Simon|last=Bajkowski|website=Manchester Evening News|date=14 October 2020|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> They are from Walkden.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bajkowski |first1=James |title=Meet the McAtees |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-james-mcatee-interview-26483220 |website=Manchester Evening News |date=17 March 2023 |publisher=MEN |access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref> Their father, paternal grandfather and great-uncles played rugby league professionally,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/19613760.james-mcatee-son-former-saint-manchester-city-champions-league-squad/|title=James McAtee, son of former Saint, in Manchester City Champions League squad|first=Mike|last=Critchley|website=St Helens Star|date=29 September 2021|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref> and the football players and managers Alan Ball Sr. and Alan Ball Jr. are their maternal great-grandfather and great-uncle respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64982805|title=John & James McAtee on FA Cup runs, sibling rivalry and Mother's Day|first1=Kelly|last1=Somers|first2=Ian|last2=Woodcock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 March 2023|access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 17 May 2026}}<ref>{{Soccerway|james-mcatee/546917|access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Manchester City |2021–22 |Premier League |2||0||2||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}}||0||0||0||6||0 |- |2023–24 |Premier League |1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- |2024–25 |Premier League |15||3||4||3||2||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|Appearance in FA Community Shield}}||0||27||7 |- !colspan="2"|Total !18||3||6||3||3||0||6||1||1||0||34||7 |- |rowspan="3"|Sheffield United (loan) |2022–23 |Championship |37||9||5||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||43||9 |- |2023–24 |Premier League |30||3||2||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||32||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !67||12||7||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||75||14 |- |Nottingham Forest |2025–26 |Premier League |13||0||1||0||1||0||10{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||colspan="2"|—||25||1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !98||15||14||5||5||0||16||2||1||0||134||22 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Manchester City Youth''' *FA Youth Cup: 2019–20<ref name="youth"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/nov/02/chelsea-manchester-city-fa-youth-cup-final-report-021120|title=Manchester City win the 2020 FA Youth Cup after thrilling win over Chelsea at SGP|first=Nicholas|last=Veevers|website=The Football Association|date=2 November 2020|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref>
'''Manchester City''' *FA Community Shield: 2024<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c9wjkjyqpg4t#Line-ups |title=Manchester City 1–1 Manchester United: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2024 |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref> *UEFA Super Cup: 2023<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/2037792--man-city-vs-sevilla/ |publisher=UEFA|title=Manchester City 1–1 (5-4p) Sevilla|date=16 August 2023|access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref>
'''England U21''' *UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2025<ref name="U21"/>
'''Individual''' *Manchester City EDS Players' Player of the Year: 2021–22<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/eds-academy/academy-award-winners-honoured-63787983|title=Quintet recognised at academy player of the year awards|first=Neil|last=Leigh|website=Manchester City F.C.|date=12 May 2022|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> *Premier League 2 Player of the Month: August 2021<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2248042|website=Premier League|title=Man City's McAtee wins August 2021 PL2 Player of the Month|date=13 September 2021|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> *Premier League 2 Player of the Season: 2021–22<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2632677|website=Premier League|title=Man City's McAtee named PL2 Player of the Season|date=23 May 2022|access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> *Sheffield United Young Player of the Year: 2022–23{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} *UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2025<ref name="tott"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.mancity.com/players/james-mcatee Profile] at the Manchester City F.C. website *{{UEFA player}}
{{Nottingham Forest F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McAtee, James}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Salford Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Manchester City F.C. players Category:Sheffield United F.C. players Category: Nottingham Forest F.C. players Category:Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:England men's under-21 international footballers Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:Ball family (association football)