Leon James (footballer)

Thai footballer

Leon James

James playing for Sukhothai in 2021

Personal information
Full name|  Leon Pitchaya James
Date of birth|  (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 (age 22)
Place of birth|  Coventry, England
Height|  1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)|  Midfielder
Youth career
2007–2019|  Leicester City
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2019–2020|  Ratchaburi Mitr Phol|  1|  (0)
2020–2022|  Sukhothai|  40|  (2)
2022–2023|  Nongbua Pitchaya|  20|  (0)
2023–|  Buriram United|  3|  (1)
2024|  → Chonburi (loan)|  9|  (1)
International career‡
2019|  Thailand U19|  3|  (0)
2022–|  Thailand U23|  11|  (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 April 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 May 2023

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. Born in England, he represents Thailand at youth level.[1]

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

[edit]

### Leicester City

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

### Sukhothai

[edit]

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

### Nongbua Pitchaya

[edit]

On 1 June 2022, it was announced that James had joined club Nongbua Pitchaya.[2]

## International career

[edit]

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.[3][4][5][6]

## Honours

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

Buriram United

* Thai League 1: 2023–24
* Thailand Champions Cup runner-up: 2023

### International

[edit]

Thailand U23

* SEA Games Silver medal: 2023

## References

[edit]

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

## External links

[edit]

* Leon James at Soccerway

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals