1. James Michael Edward Ward-Prowse was born on 1 November 1994 and is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club West Ham United.
24 Facts About James Ward-Prowse
1. 2.
Originally a member of Southampton's youth teams, Ward-Prowse made his first-team debut in October 2011, and signed his first professional contract in 2012.
3.
James Ward-Prowse became a regular for Southampton and was appointed as captain in 2020.
4.
James Ward-Prowse has represented England at under-17, under-19 and under-20 levels and earned 31 caps and scored 6 goals at under-21 level, serving as captain.
5.
James Ward-Prowse and his wife, Olivia, have one son named Oscar born in 2018.
6.
James Ward-Prowse was first called up to the Southampton first team in October 2011, when he made his debut at the age of 16 in the Football League Cup against Crystal Palace.
7.
James Ward-Prowse signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2015.
8.
James Ward-Prowse made his 200th appearance in all competitions for Southampton on 7 April 2018.
9.
On 17 August 2020, James Ward-Prowse signed a new contract until June 2025.
10.
James Ward-Prowse was then described by Pep Guardiola as the greatest free-kick taker in the world.
11.
In March 2023, James Ward-Prowse played his 330th Premier League game for Southampton, breaking Jason Dodd's club record.
12.
James Ward-Prowse described the game as a "dream debut" as he assisted the opening goal for Nayef Aguerd and West Ham's second goal, for Michail Antonio.
13.
On 3 February 2025, the loan was terminated and James Ward-Prowse returned to West Ham United.
14.
James Ward-Prowse began his international career with the England under-17 team, gaining seven caps for the team in two tournaments between 2010 and 2011.
15.
James Ward-Prowse played for 64 minutes in the first match, and for the full 90 against Finland, in which he had some of England's clearest goal-scoring opportunities.
16.
James Ward-Prowse was nominated for the Vauxhall England Under-21 Player of the Year award, but eventually lost out to Southampton teammate Nathan Redmond.
17.
In March 2019, James Ward-Prowse was recalled to the senior national team for England's first two matches of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.
18.
James Ward-Prowse was again called up on 5 October as a replacement for the injured Kalvin Phillips for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification fixtures against Andorra and Hungary on 9 and 12 October 2021.
19.
James Ward-Prowse did not make the final squad for the tournament, as manager Gareth Southgate said he was "just behind" Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham.
20.
James Ward-Prowse is particularly known for his skill and accuracy at taking free kicks, and in February 2023 was described as "one of the best ever" set-piece takers.
21.
James Ward-Prowse holds the Southampton record for Premier League free-kick goals, has the league's best free-kick conversion rate since 2003, when Opta started recording them, and is considered one of the top set-piece specialists in the game.
22.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remarked that James Ward-Prowse is "the best free-kick taker I have seen in my life".
23.
James Ward-Prowse is acclaimed for his exceptional fitness levels and stamina; in 2021, he became the first Premier League player to play every single minute of two consecutive Premier League seasons.
24.
James Ward-Prowse is known for celebrating his goals by mimicking a golf swing.