Lauren Elizabeth James is an English professional footballer, born on 29 September 2001. She plays as a forward for the Women's Super League club Chelsea and the England national team. James began her senior career with Arsenal in 2017 before moving to Manchester United in 2018, where she helped win the Championship.

Since joining Chelsea in 2021, she has contributed to four WSL titles and two FA Cups and earned the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award for the 2022–23 season. Internationally, James has represented England at U17 and U19 levels and made her first senior appearance in the 2023 World Cup qualification. She scored her first international goal in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup against South Korea and later in the 2023 World Cup against Denmark and China. In December 2023, she scored her first Nations League goal against Scotland.

Beyond her football career, James is recognized for her contribution with the England squad that won the UEFA Women's Championship in 2025.