How the girl with the golden boots Lauren James is on her way to £1 million after netting two goals for the Lionesses at the World Cup
After scoring twice and setting up three other goals in the Lionesses’ 6-1 World Cup win over China yesterday, Lauren James is undoubtedly football’s newest superstar.
But after being named player of the match, not only is she on the brink of becoming one of the best women footballers in the world, but potentially one of the most wealthy too.
Speaking after the game, Ms James said: ‘Another day, obviously it’s what dreams are made of.’
The defender, whose brother Reece also plays for England, has already landed six lucrative endorsements but now courtesy of her stunning performances during the World Cup, it is predicted she will at least double her income – already thought to be in excess of £500,000 per year.
Ms James, 21 – who scored the winner against Denmark last week too – is already on billboards across Britain as the face of deodorant brand Sure, has a deal with children’s debit card company GoHenry, and is an ambassador for Google Pixel phones as well as Nike.
Lauren James (pictured) has lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike, Sure, and Barclays Bank
Lauren James (centre right) currently charges £14,000 for an Instagram post but could see charge more due to her followers having tripled in recent weeks
The star, who plays for Chelsea like her older brother, also has deals with protein firm Optimum Nutrition UK and Barclays bank.
Ms James charges around £14,000 for an Instagram post but since her number of followers has tripled in recent weeks she can now charge far more.
Commercial experts say that until last year when the Lionesses won the Euros, male footballers earned more than four times what a female would for a brand deal.
However, one who specialises in sports contracts says that while men still earn more, women are catching up fast – and nobody more so than Ms James.
The Lioness (pictured) is believed to earn an income in excess of £500,000 a year
They said: ‘When it comes to getting deals, it is very much about how someone plays on the pitch and Lauren is a star.
‘She is the woman of the moment and unless something drastic happens, she is on course to be a massive name once the World Cup is over.
‘£14,000 for a post will be miniscule in a few weeks. She will make a fortune.’
Ms James was the stand-out star of yesterday’s match in Adelaide where the Lionesses roared into the quarter-finals. They will play Nigeria on Monday.
She scored in the 41st and 65th minute and was denied a hat-trick after her stunning strike just before half-time was controversially ruled out for an offside in the build-up. She also produced three assists.
Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly also scored.
Ms James’ love for football began when she was a young child and would play with her brother outside their home in Mortlake, South West London.
When she was a teenager, her unmatched ability with the ball meant she was far ahead of the girls in her age group.
She signed up to Arsenal Academy at 14, but the coach Pedro Martinez Losa fast-tracked Lauren to the women’s team as she was too good to play with girls her age.
But after Lauren took a penalty, the senior women asked for her to be moved back to the Arsenal Academy.