Leon James (footballer)

Leon Pitchaya James (Thai: ลีออน พิชญ เจมส์; born 29 August 2001) is a professional footballer born and raised in England who plays as a midfielder for Thai League 1 club Buriram United. Born in England, he represents Thailand at youth level.

Leon James
James playing for Sukhothai in 2021
Personal information
Full name Leon Pitchaya James
Date of birth (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001
Place of birth Coventry, England
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Buriram United
Number 4
Youth career
2007–2019 Leicester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 0 (0)
2020–2022 Sukhothai 35 (2)
2022–2023 Nongbua Pitchaya 19 (0)
2023– Buriram United 2 (1)
International career‡
2019 Thailand U19 3 (0)
2022– Thailand U23 11 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 April 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 May 2023

James spent 12 years playing for Leicester City being the first ever Thailand national to sign a scholarship in England. He competed in various competitions, reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, before deciding to part ways with Leicester City to move to Thailand to sign his first professional contract for Thai Premier League club Ratchaburi Mitr Phol. James made an appearance in the Chang FA Cup.

James signed his 2nd contract in Thailand for Sukhothai.

Club career

Leicester City

James joined the Leicester City academy at age six, and progressed through the various age groups for the following 11 seasons. In his final year with the club, his under-19 squad reached the quarterfinals of the 2018–19 FA Youth Cup.

Ratchaburi Mitr Phol

In December 2019, James completed a move to Ratchaburi Mitr Phol in the Thai League 1.

Sukhothai

On 4 December 2020, it was announced that James had joined club Sukhothai.

Nongbua Pitchaya

On 1 June 2022, it was announced that James had joined club Nongbua Pitchaya.[1]

International career

In March 2019, James was called up to the Thailand U19 first time for VFF International Tournament. In October 2019, James was in the squad of Thailand U19 for GSB Bangkok Cup 2019, but did not make an appearance.

In December 2022, James was called up to the Thailand U23 national team for a training camp held from 5–15 December 2022 and for the friendly matches against Laos.[2][3][4][5]

Honours

Club

Buriram United

International

Thailand U23

References
  1. "ทางการ! ลีออน เจมส์ ลาสุโขทัยเปิดตัวร่วมทัพหนองบัวฯ". Siamsport. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. "ประกาศรายชื่อ 30 "ช้างศึก U23" ชุดเก็บตัวอุ่นเครื่อง กับ สปป.ลาว". .bangkokbiznews.com (in Thai). 29 November 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  3. "เปิดตัวตน "ลีออน เจมส์" กับภารกิจใหม่ในทัพช้างศึกยู-19". Thai Rath (in Thai). 15 March 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  4. บก.เก้น (20 September 2018). "TRUE TALK : เส้นทางที่ไม่ง่าย แต่สุดท้าทาย : "ลีออน เจมส์" วันเดอร์คิดไทยใน เลสเตอร์ ซิตี้". trueID (in Thai). Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  5. ณัฐนันท์ จันทร์ขวาง. "บันทึก 11 ปีแข้งไทยในรัง เลสเตอร์ ซิตี้ และก้าวต่อไปของ "ลีออน เจมส์"". Main Stand (in Thai). Retrieved 14 April 2020.
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