Jess Carter has established herself as one of the most reliable defenders in women’s football, representing both NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League and the England Lionesses on the international stage. Her career, marked by trophies at Chelsea and a high-profile move to the United States, has made her a subject of frequent searches regarding her club, personal life, and recent form.
Born in Warwick, England, Carter’s journey from grassroots football to winning major international tournaments reflects a steady rise through the ranks. As of 2025, she remains a key figure for club and country, though questions about her partner, injury history, and family background continue to generate interest.
Which club does Jess Carter play for?
Jess Carter currently plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL. She joined the club in July 2024 after a long and successful spell with Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. Her contract with Gotham runs through the 2026 season, according to the club’s official announcement.
- Full Name: Jessica Leigh Carter
- Date of Birth: 27 October 1997
- Current Club: NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL)
- Position: Centre-back
Key insights about Jess Carter
- Carter is a key defender for both Gotham FC and the England Lionesses, having won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 with the national team.
- She transferred from Chelsea to Gotham FC in 2024 after a trophy-laden period that included multiple league titles and domestic cups.
- Her personal life includes a relationship with fellow professional footballer Ann-Katrin Berger, though public confirmation remains limited.
- She missed some matches in late 2024 due to a minor injury but has since returned to full fitness.
- Carter attended The Billericay School in Essex, England.
- She is a versatile defender capable of playing centre-back, right-back, left-back, and previously in midfield.
- With Gotham, she won the 2024/25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup and the 2025 NWSL Championship.
Snapshot facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessica Leigh Carter |
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1997 |
| Birthplace | Warwick, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Position | Centre-back / Left-back |
| Current Club | NJ/NY Gotham FC (since 2024) |
| Previous Clubs | Chelsea (2018–2024), Birmingham City (2016–2018) |
| National Team | England (2017–present) |
| Major Honours | UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, FA Women’s Super League (5x), FA Cup (3x), 2025 NWSL Championship |
Did Jess Carter play for Chelsea?
Yes, Jess Carter played for Chelsea from 2018 to 2024. She joined the club after developing at Birmingham City, where she made her breakthrough in the WSL. Chelsea extended her contract in October 2022 to run until 2025, but she moved to the NWSL before that deal expired. During her time at Chelsea, she won multiple FA Women’s Super League titles and FA Cups, establishing herself as a key part of the club’s dominant defense.
Is Jess Carter a Lioness?
Yes, Jess Carter is a full England international. She made her senior debut on 28 November 2017 and has since earned more than 50 senior caps. She was a key part of the England squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and was named in the squad for Euro 2025. According to the England profile, she started five of six matches during the Euro 2025 tournament and helped the team reach the final against Spain.
At the time of England’s Euro 2025 roster announcement, Gotham FC’s release stated that Carter had 44 caps. The England Football profile later listed her with more than 50 senior caps, reflecting her continued selection and playing time.
Who is Jess Carter’s partner/wife?
Jess Carter is in a public relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger, a goalkeeper who has played for both Chelsea and Gotham FC. The YouTube description of an interview with Carter explicitly mentions “her partner Ann-Katrin Berger.” However, there is no evidence in publicly available sources that Carter is married or has a wife separate from that relationship. The couple’s relationship is known through media references and social media, but Carter has kept many personal details private.
Who are Jess Carter’s parents?
The names and professions of Jess Carter’s parents are not widely published. It is known that they have supported her football career from an early age, but they have largely remained out of the public spotlight. No official statements or interviews have provided further details about her family background.
Where did Jess Carter go to school?
Jess Carter attended The Billericay School in Essex, England. This information is based on available biographical records, though specific details about her academic achievements or extracurricular activities at school have not been widely reported.
Is Jess Carter married?
Based on available information, Jess Carter is not married. While she is in a relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger, no public records or official statements confirm a marriage. The question of her marital status remains one of the less documented aspects of her personal life.
Details about Carter’s partner and family are based on limited public sources. No official confirmation of marriage exists, and the couple has not made a formal public statement about the nature of their relationship beyond media references.
What is Jess Carter’s injury status?
Jess Carter missed some matches in late 2024 due to a minor injury. The exact nature and timeline of the injury were not fully disclosed by the club, but she was expected to make a full recovery. By 2025, she had returned to fitness and continued playing for both Gotham FC and England. During Euro 2025, she was available for selection and started five of six matches, indicating that any previous injury issues had been resolved.
Jess Carter career timeline
- 2016–2018: Birmingham City – breakthrough in the WSL.
- 2018–2024: Chelsea – multiple league titles and domestic cups.
- 2022: Euro 2022 winner with England.
- July 2024: Transfer to Gotham FC (NWSL).
- Late 2024: Minor injury, missed several matches.
- 2025: Return to fitness, won 2024/25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup and 2025 NWSL Championship with Gotham.
- 2025: Named in England’s Euro 2025 squad, started five of six matches.
What is known and what remains unclear about Jess Carter?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Official career stats, clubs, and England caps are publicly recorded. | Partner/wife: often linked to Ann-Katrin Berger, but no public confirmation or official statement; details remain private. |
| Transfer to Gotham FC is confirmed by both clubs. | Injury status: exact nature and timeline are not fully disclosed by the club, only that she missed games due to injury. |
| She attended The Billericay School in Essex. | Parents: names and professions are not widely published; only known that they support her career. |
What is the context of Jess Carter’s career?
Jess Carter is a versatile defender known for her composure on the ball and passing range. She contributed significantly to Chelsea’s dominant defense during her time at the club. Her move to the NWSL in 2024 reflects the growing cross-league mobility in women’s football and the increasing profile of the American league. With England, her role evolved from a backup option to a regular starter, particularly after the Euro 2022 victory.
What do the sources say about Jess Carter?
“Jessica Leigh Carter MBE…”
Wikipedia entry
“Member of the squad who became EURO 2022 champions.”
England Football profile
“2023–24 (Chelsea): Featured in 21 matches…”
Gotham FC roster page
What is next for Jess Carter?
Jess Carter is expected to remain a regular starter for Gotham FC in the coming seasons and continue receiving call-ups for the England national team. Her contract with Gotham runs through 2026, and she is likely to be part of England’s campaigns for the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro and the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Her recent form suggests she will remain a key defensive asset for both club and country.
Frequently asked questions about Jess Carter
How old is Jess Carter?
Jess Carter was born on 27 October 1997, making her 27 years old as of 2025.
What position does Jess Carter play?
She primarily plays as a centre-back but can also play left-back and has previously played in midfield.
Is Jess Carter on Instagram?
Yes, her official Instagram handle is @_jesslcarter.
Which club does Jess Carter play for now?
She plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL, having joined in July 2024.
Did Jess Carter play for Chelsea?
Yes, she played for Chelsea from 2018 to 2024, winning multiple league titles and domestic cups.
Is Jess Carter injured?
She missed some matches in late 2024 due to a minor injury but has since returned to full fitness and played regularly in 2025.
Who is Jess Carter’s partner?
She is in a relationship with fellow footballer Ann-Katrin Berger, though the couple has not made a formal public statement.
Where did Jess Carter go to school?
She attended The Billericay School in Essex, England.
How many caps does Jess Carter have for England?
She has more than 50 senior caps for England, with her debut coming in November 2017.
What trophies has Jess Carter won?
She has won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, multiple FA WSL titles, FA Cups, the 2024/25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup, and the 2025 NWSL Championship.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.