The Dragon power is doubling at Seattle Reign FC, as the club announced on Wednesday that it signed Welsh midfielder Angharad James through the 2025 NWSL season. The Reign paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s Super League – who had James on contract through June 2024. The midfielder will join the Reign upon receipt of her visa.
“I’m excited to be joining such a prolific club in the NWSL,” said James in a Reign press release. “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity. I can’t wait to arrive in Seattle and meet the fans!”
The midfielder joins the Reign following two seasons with Tottenham, where she made 28 starts in 33 appearances and earned two assists. At Tottenham, James – nicknamed Haz – played both holding midfield and right back. She's primarily been a midfielder for both Wales and her previous clubs.
When James arrives, the Reign will have three international spots filled – with Ji So-yun, Jordyn Huitema, and James taking those spots. Jimena Lopez and Luany don't occupy international spots while on loan. While they remain on loan, the Reign still have two international spots open.
Can’t wait to have @AngharadJames16 join the Reign! 👑 pic.twitter.com/ZtNLMMBDqO
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) January 31, 2024
What can Reign fans expect from James?
While she isn't a like-for-like replacement, James provides depth in the holding midfield role following Emily Sonnett's move to Gotham FC this offseason. She likes to press in the midfield and is tenacious defensively – never afraid to go in for a well-timed tackle.
She's also a strong passer who likes to move the ball forward.
James has good set-piece delivery and is capable of playing higher up in the midfield as well, where she's comfortable slipping through balls to the front line.
The 29-year-old spent two seasons in the NWSL before heading to Tottenham. In 2021, James signed with the North Carolina Courage, where she made 17 total appearances, including one playoff appearance.
In 2022, James was acquired by the Orlando Pride, a club that had a tough start to the season. She made seven starts and 11 appearances between the regular season and Challenge Cup before signing with Tottenham – joining then-fiancée/now-wife Amy Turner at the club.
"Haz James brings experience and depth to our team. Her international experience both for club and country, coupled with her previous time in the NWSL, give her an understanding of the environment and give the club another solid addition to our project. We can't wait to have her with the group this season," said Reign General Manager Lesle Gallimore.
James spent two seasons at Reading before heading to the NWSL. During that time, she made 48 appearances and scored two goals. Her final season at Reading overlapped with Jess Fishlock, who was on loan while the NWSL season took a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. James led the league in successful tackles that season (46) and was one of only three field players across the league to play all 1,980 minutes of the season.
From 2016-2019, James spent time with Notts County, Yeovil Town, and Everton before landing at Reading, her last stop before playing in the NWSL.
James made her Welsh senior national team debut at 17 years old and has gone on to earn 102 caps – becoming the youngest Welsh player, male or female, to earn 100 caps for the country. She has scored four goals for Cymru, including a goal against Estonia in 2023 FIFA World Cup qualification – helping bring the Wales women's national team extremely close to their first-ever major tournament appearance. The midfielder was named Wales Women’s Player of the Year in 2017, as well as Young Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014.
