James Justin

James Michael Justin (born 23 February 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for EFL Championship club Leicester City and the England national team.

For other people with similar names, see Justin James (disambiguation).

James Justin
Justin playing for Leicester City in 2022
Personal information
Full name James Michael Justin[1]
Date of birth (1998-02-23) 23 February 1998[2]
Place of birth Luton, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3]
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
 Leicester City
Number 2
Youth career
2005–2015 Luton Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 Luton Town 90 (6)
2019– Leicester City 69 (2)
International career‡
2017 England U20 2 (0)
2019–2020 England U21 8 (1)
2022– England 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:32, 4 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 June 2022

Justin started his professional career with Luton Town after progressing through their academy. He joined Leicester City in 2019.

Justin has represented England at various youth levels before making his debut for the senior team in May 2022 in UEFA Nations League.

Club career

Luton Town

Born in Luton, Bedfordshire,[3] Justin joined Luton Town in 2005 and progressed through the club's youth system.[4] He was part of the under-11 team that beat Bayern Munich 3–2 to win the Aarau Masters in 2009.[4][5] Justin was called up to the under-18 team as an under-16 due to injuries to other players, playing at right-back despite being a central midfielder.[4] Following his breakthrough into the under-18 team, Justin also played regularly for the club's development squad that ended 2014–15 as champions of The Central League Southern Division.[4][6] Justin signed his first professional contract on 4 November 2015 which contracted him to the club until the end of 2016–17.[4] He was named in the matchday squad for the first time on 19 December, remaining an unused substitute in Luton's 3–2 win away to Exeter City.[3][7] Justin was a member of the under-18 team that won the Youth Alliance South East title and the Youth Alliance Cup in 2015–16,[8][9][10] and also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, in which they lost 1–0 to Blackburn Rovers.[9][11] He made his professional debut as an 83rd-minute substitute for Stephen O'Donnell in a 4–1 win at home to Exeter City on the final day of 2015–16.[12]

Justin broke into the first team in 2016–17, making his full debut at left-back in a 3–1 win at home to newly relegated Championship club Aston Villa in the EFL Cup first round on 10 August 2016.[13] He suffered a calf injury in the warm up before Luton's 2–1 win away to Leyton Orient on 15 October,[14] and returned to the team for a 3–1 victory away to Exeter City in the FA Cup first round on 5 November.[15][16] After making 14 appearances in all competitions during the first half of the season playing in a number of different positions including at right-back and as a left winger, Justin signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract to keep him at Luton until the summer of 2019, with the option of a further year.[17][18] He was named Luton Town Young Player of the Season, selected by the Luton Town management team.[19] Justin scored his first professional goal in a 4–1 victory away to Accrington Stanley on 29 April 2017,[20] but was stretchered off after he suffered an ankle ligament sprain in the following match, a 3–1 win at home to Morecambe.[21] However, he recovered in time to play against Blackpool in the play-off semi-final, and started in both legs of the 6–5 aggregate defeat.[22][23] Justin finished the season with 39 appearances and one goal.[16] On 12 July 2017, Luton rejected a bid of £1 million for Justin from Championship club Nottingham Forest.[24] Later that month, Justin signed a contract extension with Luton until 2020, with the option of a further year.[25]

His contract was extended by a further year at the end of the 2017–18 season after a promotion clause was triggered as a result of Luton's promotion to League One.[26]

Leicester City

Justin signed for Premier League club Leicester City on 28 June 2019 on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[27] He scored on his debut in a 4–0 away victory over his former club Luton in the EFL Cup third round on 24 September.[28]

Injury cut short his involvement in Leicester City's victorious 2020–21 FA Cup campaign, but the highly regarded defender made his comeback in January 2022 against Tottenham and started in the five subsequent fixtures for the Foxes.[29] On 23 February 2022, he signed a new long-term contract with the club until 2026.[29]

International career

On 1 June 2017, Justin was called up to the England under-19 team for a training camp in Spain ahead of the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[30] He was retained by manager Keith Downing for two further training camps,[31][32] but did not make the final 18-man squad.[33] Justin received his first call-up to the England under-20 team on 24 August 2017 for two friendly matches against the Netherlands and Switzerland.[34] He made his debut a week later in a 3–0 victory over the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute.[35] Justin made his full debut after starting against Switzerland four days later, before being substituted on 62 minutes, the match finishing a 0–0 draw.[36]

Justin was called up to the England under-21 team for the first time on 30 August 2019 for two 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Turkey and Kosovo.[37] He made his debut as an 80th-minute substitute for the injured Max Aarons in a 2–0 win over Kosovo on 9 September.[38]

Justin received his first call up to the senior team on 24 May 2022 for the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Hungary, Germany and Italy.[39] He made his debut on 4 June against Hungary but was substituted at half time due to injury.[40]

Style of play

Justin primarily plays as a right-back, although he has been described as being "versatile" and "attack-minded" and is able to play as a left-back, central midfielder, right midfielder and a left winger.[4][17][41]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 4 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Luton Town 2015–16[42] League Two 100000—0010
2016–17[16] League Two 2913010—6[lower-alpha 1]0391
2017–18[43] League Two 1721000—4[lower-alpha 2]0222
2018–19[44] League One 4334010—4[lower-alpha 2]0523
Total 9068020—1401146
Leicester City 2019–20[45] Premier League 1303021——181
2020–21[46] Premier League 23221006[lower-alpha 3]0—313
2021–22[47] Premier League 13010005[lower-alpha 4]000190
2022–23[48] Premier League 1400011——151
2023–24[49] Championship 600030——90
Total 692616211000925
Career total 15981418211014020611
  1. Four appearances in EFL Trophy, two in League Two play-offs
  2. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International
As of match played 4 June 2022[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 202210
Total10

Honours

Luton Town

Individual

References
  1. "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. "James Justin: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  3. "James Justin". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  4. "James Justin & Frankie Musonda turn professional". Luton Town F.C. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  5. "European masters". Luton Today. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. "Dev squad clinch title with six-goal victory". Luton Town F.C. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  7. Simmonds, Mike (19 December 2015). "Benson bundles in 100th minute winner at Exeter". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. Simmonds, Mike (13 January 2016). "Hatters U18s clinch Youth Alliance title". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. "Luton Town: Nathan Jones will not 'just hand' youth chance". BBC Sport. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  10. Simmonds, Mike (21 April 2016). "Hinds at the double as Hatters U18s clinch Youth Alliance Cup". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  11. Simmonds, Mike (24 February 2016). "FA Youth Cup: Brave Hatters U18s knocked out by Blackburn". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  12. Simmonds, Mike (7 May 2016). "Hatters turn on the style as they finish with a flourish". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  13. Simmonds, Mike (11 August 2016). "Hatters stun Aston Villa to set up Leeds United clash". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  14. Simmonds, Mike (17 October 2016). "O'Donnell's display praised after late call-up at Orient". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  15. Cunliffe, James (16 November 2016). "Luton Town: Boss Jones 'showing great faith in me,' says James Justin". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017.
  16. "Games played by James Justin in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  17. Simmonds, Mike (21 December 2016). "Justin pens a long-term deal with Luton". Luton Today. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  18. "James Justin: Luton Town's teenage full-back agrees new contract". BBC Sport. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  19. Simmonds, Mike (24 April 2017). "Hylton cleans up at Town's end of season awards". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  20. Simmonds, Mike (29 April 2017). "Hatters hit four as they hammer Accrington". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  21. Simmonds, Mike (6 May 2017). "Luton remain hopeful over Justin injury". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  22. Simmonds, Mike (14 May 2017). "Cullen's treble seals first leg play-off defeat for Luton". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  23. Mitchell, Brendon (18 May 2017). "Luton Town 3–3 Blackpool (agg: 5–6)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  24. Street, Tim (12 July 2017). "Exclusive: Luton reject Nottingham Forest's bid for James Justin". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017.
  25. "Luton Town: James Justin rewarded with contract extension". BBC Sport. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  26. Simmonds, Mike (16 May 2018). "Luton confirm new contracts for Potts and Sheehan". Luton Today. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  27. "James Justin: Leicester's Brendan Rodgers makes Luton full-back his first signing". BBC Sport. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  28. "Luton Town 0–4 Leicester City: Demarai Gray & James Justin goals ease Foxes into fourth round". BBC Sport. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  29. "James Justin Signs New Long-Term Contract". Leicester City FC. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  30. Simmonds, Mike (1 June 2017). "Justin earns England U19 call-up". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  31. Simmonds, Mike (15 June 2017). "Justin earns second England U19 call-up". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  32. Simmonds, Mike (21 June 2017). "Justin retained by England U19s". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  33. Simmonds, Mike (26 June 2017). "Justin misses out on England U19s Euro Finals squad". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  34. Simmonds, Mike (24 August 2017). "Justin called up by England U20s". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  35. "Young Lions kick-off new campaign with clinical victory against the Dutch in Telford". The Football Association. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  36. Simmonds, Mike (5 September 2017). "Justin makes full England U20s debut". Luton Today. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  37. Kemble, Jamie (30 August 2019). "Leicester City youngsters called up by England youth sides ahead of upcoming internationals". Leicestershire Live. Local World. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  38. "Phil Foden scores two to help England U21s to 2–0 win over Kosovo". The Football Association. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  39. Veevers, Nicholas (24 May 2022). "England squad named for June's Nations League games". www.englandfootball.com. The Football Association.
  40. "Hungary 1–0 England". BBC Sport. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  41. Clapson, Sarah (13 July 2017). "Luton Town confirm they have rejected Nottingham Forest bid for teenage defender James Justin". Nottinghamshire Live. Local World. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  42. "Games played by James Justin in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  43. "Games played by James Justin in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  44. "Games played by James Justin in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  45. "Games played by James Justin in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  46. "Games played by James Justin in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  47. "Games played by James Justin in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  48. "Games played by James Justin in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  49. "Games played by James Justin in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  50. "James Justin". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  51. Anderson, John, ed. (2019). Football Yearbook 2019–2020. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 210–211. ISBN 978-1-4722-6111-3.
  52. Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-1-4722-6106-9.
  53. Simmonds, Mike (29 April 2019). "Player of the Year Stacey cleans up at Hatters awards night". Luton Today. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  54. Law, James (20 December 2018). "James Justin: Luton Town defender wins EFL Young Player of the Month award". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  55. "EFL Official Website - 2019 Winners". EFL.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  56. "League One: Barnsley dominate PFA selection of team of 2018–19". BBC Sport. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
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