
Jess Carter – Profile, Partner, Career, and Honours
Jessica Leigh Carter is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the England women’s national team. Born on 27 October 1997 in Warwick, England, Carter has established herself as a versatile and consistent presence in defense over the past decade. Her career has taken her from Birmingham City to a trophy-laden spell at Chelsea, followed by a move to the United States in 2024. She was a member of the England squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and later lifted the NWSL Championship with Gotham FC in the same calendar year.
This article provides a detailed overview of Carter’s career, her personal life, and the key facts that define her as one of England’s most reliable defenders. It covers her relationships, family background, injury history, and her journey through the professional game.
Who is Jess Carter’s Partner?
Jessica Leigh Carter
27 October 1997 (age 27)
NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL)
Centre-back / left-back
Key Insights
- Jess Carter’s relationship with German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is widely reported but not officially confirmed by the couple.
- She is one of only a few English players to win both the European Championship (2022) and the NWSL Championship (2024) in the same calendar year.
- Carter’s versatility allows her to play both centre-back and left-back, making her a valuable asset for club and country.
- After spending most of her club career at Chelsea (2018–2024), she moved to NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024, a significant shift in her career.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessica Leigh Carter |
| Born | 27 October 1997, Warwick, England |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Position(s) | Defender (centre-back, left-back) |
| Current Club | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
| National Team | England (38 caps as of 2025) |
| Major Honours | UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, NWSL Championship 2024, FA Women’s Super League (multiple titles) |
Multiple biographical sources, including Wikipedia and Queen Ballers, report that Carter is in a relationship with fellow professional footballer Ann-Katrin Berger, a German goalkeeper who plays for Gotham FC and the German national team. The two have been seen together at public events and share posts on social media, leading to widespread reporting of their partnership.
However, some sources state that Carter’s relationship status is private and no partner has been officially or publicly confirmed by Carter or Berger themselves. This means that while the relationship is widely accepted by fans and media, it is not recognized as an official public declaration. The label “wife” is sometimes used in coverage, but neither player has confirmed a marriage. The details of Carter’s personal life are therefore presented with this level of caution.
Which Teams Has Jess Carter Played For?
Carter began her senior career at Birmingham City after joining the club’s academy in 2013. She made her senior debut at just 16 years old in a UEFA Women’s Champions League match against Arsenal, a remarkable early milestone. She remained with Birmingham City until 2018, gaining valuable first-team experience in the FA Women’s Super League.
In 2018, Carter signed for Chelsea, one of the dominant forces in English women’s football. During her time with the club, she won multiple domestic titles, including the FA Women’s Super League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. Her Chelsea spell ended in the summer of 2024, after which she moved to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL, as confirmed by the club’s official roster page.
Carter’s international career for England began at youth level. She made her senior debut for the England women’s national team on 28 November 2017, as recorded by the England Football official site. She has since become a regular member of the squad under manager Sarina Wiegman, contributing to the team’s success at Euro 2022.
Carter’s primary position is centre-back, but she has also been deployed as a left-back for both club and country. This adaptability has made her a valuable squad player, especially in tournaments where injuries and suspensions require tactical flexibility.
How Old is Jess Carter?
Jess Carter was born on 27 October 1997, making her 27 years old as of 2025. This is confirmed by both the official England Football profile and the Gotham FC roster page.
What is Jess Carter’s Ethnicity?
Based on information from several reliable biographical sources, including Wikipedia, Carter is of mixed heritage. Her father is African American, and her mother is English or British. As a result, she holds both British and American citizenship. This background is sometimes described as mixed English/British and African American heritage.
Who are Jess Carter’s Parents?
Specific details about Carter’s parents, such as their full names or professions, are not publicly available. What is consistently reported across profiles is that she was born in England to an African American father and a British mother. This is noted by sources such as The Independent and Football Biography. Her dual citizenship is a consequence of her father’s nationality.
Mainstream football profiles generally confirm only the parents’ backgrounds and citizenship, not their names. This is common for many athletes, as personal family details are often kept private.
Has Jess Carter Had Any Injuries?
A profile on Soccerdonna lists a hamstring injury for Carter from 1 May 2025 to 8 May 2025. Beyond this short-term issue, there are no publicly recorded major long-term injuries in her career. This suggests she has maintained good physical condition throughout her professional journey.
Jess Carter Career Timeline
- 1997: Born in Warwick, England.
- 2014–2016: Birmingham City (first senior club).
- 2016: Senior debut for England.
- 2018: Signed with Chelsea.
- 2022: Won UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 with England.
- 2024: Left Chelsea, signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC; won NWSL Championship.
- 2025: Continues with Gotham FC and England national team.
What Information About Jess Carter is Certain vs. Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Carter is in a relationship with German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, based on public appearances and social media. | Whether they are married is not officially confirmed; “wife” is used in some media but not by Carter or Berger. |
| Carter has had minor injuries but no major long-term absences are publicly recorded. | Specific injury details (type, recovery time) are not consistently reported beyond the one hamstring issue. |
| Carter is of English nationality. | No reliable sources confirm a specific ethnic label beyond mixed English/British and African American heritage. |
What is Jess Carter’s Significance in Women’s Football?
Carter’s move from Chelsea to Gotham FC in 2024 marked a new chapter in the NWSL, a league attracting top European talent. Her ability to play multiple defensive positions has made her a mainstay in the England squad under manager Sarina Wiegman. Winning both Euro 2022 and the NWSL Championship in the same calendar year highlights her consistency and adaptability at the highest level. As a Black English player, she represents diversity in football, though her ethnicity is not something she has publicly discussed in detail.
Sources and Key References
Jess Carter is a versatile defender who has won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 with England and the NWSL Championship with Gotham FC.
– NJ/NY Gotham FC Official Profile
She began her career at Birmingham City before joining Chelsea in 2018, where she won multiple domestic titles.
– Wikipedia
Her senior England debut was on 28 November 2017.
– England Football
For further context on other footballers with similar career profiles, you can read Ben White – Arsenal Defender and England Career Facts and Bruno Fernandes – Full Profile, Stats and Transfer Updates.
Summary
Jess Carter is a 27-year-old English defender who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC and the England national team. She has won major honours including the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and the NWSL Championship 2024. Her career has taken her from Birmingham City to Chelsea, and now to the United States. Her relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger is widely reported, and she is of mixed English and African American heritage, holding dual citizenship. For more player profiles, see Bruno Fernandes – Full Profile, Stats and Transfer Updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Jess Carter play?
Jess Carter primarily plays as a centre-back but can also operate as a left-back.
What is Jess Carter’s nationality?
She is English and represents the England women’s national team.
How many goals has Jess Carter scored for England?
As of 2025, she has scored 0 goals for the senior England team (defender).
Did Jess Carter win the FA Women’s Super League?
Yes, she won multiple FA WSL titles with Chelsea between 2018 and 2024.
Is Jess Carter married?
There is no official confirmation of marriage. She is in a reported relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger.
What is Jess Carter’s height?
She is 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) tall.
What club does Jess Carter play for in 2025?
She plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL.