James McAtee: Bio, Salary, Net worth, Lifestyle, Club and International Career

James McAtee is a talented English footballer, recognized for his vision and midfield capabilities. McAtee currently plays for Manchester City and is great at assisting and creating chances for his teammates. He’s a product of City’s youth academy and has caught the eye of big clubs. Recently, James McAtee was selected to lead the English U21 squad in the U21 European Championship, which is taking place in Slovakia. The decision of the FA to choose McAtee as the captain speaks volumes for the player. However, his Manchester City contract is set to expire soon, and Premier League club Manchester United is already in contact with the representative of the young gun. Additionally, there are reports that championship side Leeds United is also interested in James McAtee.

James was born in Salford, England, on October 18th in the year 2002. He loved football when he was in his youth days and, like others, wished to join the academy to enhance his football skills. He joined the Manchester City youth academy, where he developed himself as a smart playmaker. Later on, McAtee got a loan spell at Sheffield United, which not only enhanced his football skills but also developed the player into a good leader. Back at City, he made his Premier League debut in 2024 and played 27 games last season. His full debut came in a 5-2 win against Crystal Palace. Let's find out more about the player and how he went on to become the captain of the England U21 squad.

James McAtee Bio

James McAtee Family and Early Life

The U21 England captain, McAtee, was born in the year 2002 in the city of Salford and was raised in Walkden. He comes from a family where sports are given equal weight compared to studies. His parents, Gillian and John McAtee, are in different professions; his mother is a dance teacher, whereas his father is a former rugby player who played for St Helens and Eccles.

James’ older brother, John McAtee, is a striker for Bolton Wanderers. James and John share a close bond as siblings; additionally, his older brother was one of the reasons he started playing football. Both James and John have a sister named Lucy. However, there is not much information available in the public domain about Lucy's profession and personal life. Even his paternal grandfather and great-granduncles had connections with rugby, and on his maternal side, he’s related to England’s 1966 World Cup hero Alan Ball Jr.. The family orientation is enough to tell James' decision to join football and pursue his career in it.

Playing Style and Strengths

James McAtee is an attacking midfielder, often deployed as a number 10 on the pitch for Manchester City and the England U21 side. Additionally, McAtee has a good hold on the wings. The player is known for his dribbling skills and vision, which help him create chances in the final third for his teammates. His playing style is a mixture of quick decision-making and pace to outrun defenders, allowing him to unlock defenses with precise passes.

Comfortable on either foot, he excels in tight spaces. His ambidexterity allows seamless play on either flank or centrally on the pitch. He’s confident in 1v1 situations, using quick dribbles to beat defenders. His work rate and pressing ability align with modern midfield demands, as seen during his Sheffield United loans. McAtee's footwork and positioning often make the player look like Phil Phoden in terms of skills. Talking about his recent development, the player is focusing on physicality to cater to the demand of the Premier League, which is often considered a physical league.

James McAtee Net Worth

According to Salary Sport, James McAtee net worth is estimated to be around £2,247,440. One of the major contributors to James Mcatee net worth is his wage that he gets from Manchester City. Additional income comes from sponsorships and bonuses. His market value is around €20 million, which reflects his rising status. Seeing the player's trajectory, it is quite visible that McAtee is not stopping at the current values and will go on to become one of the highest-paid footballers in the coming years if he performs consistently.

James McAtee Salary

The English midfielder McAtee has earned £520,000 annually over the past three years. James McAtee salary was increased 3 times after he joined the senior squad of Manchester City. Let's have a look at his last 5 years' salary.

Note: Salaries and net worth are approximate and based on available data from various sources.

James McAtee Partner

As of June 2025, there is no public information related to McAtee's relationship in the public domain. Despite his rising fame, McAtee avoids sharing details of his personal life on social media or in interviews, focusing instead on his football career. Fans remain curious, but McAtee’s priority appears to be his development on the pitch and performing well in the U21 European Championship with the U21 England squad.

James McAtee Career

In his youth days, the English midfielder used to play for Manchester City's youth academy. Impressed by his performance, the club's management decided to give him an opportunity in the senior team. He made his senior debut for City in 2021 in the Carabao Cup and has since played 34 matches for the Manchester side. His first Premier League goal came in the year 2024 against Crystal Palace. The player is yet to make a senior appearance for the England national team. However, many pundits claim the English midfielder is ready to play for the national side.

Club Career

James McAtee career started with Manchester City. where he developed into a standout midfielder, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2020 and earning the Elite Development Squad’s Players’ Player of the Year award in 2021/22. The player had 34 appearances for the 1-time UEFA Champions League winner Manchester City, in which he scored seven goals. His career has also seen a loan spell at Sheffield United, which converted an amateur player into a difference maker on the pitch. Let's take a look at McAtee's senior club career since he started playing for Manchester City's U18 side.

International Career

James McAtee is leading the U21 English squad in the U21 EURO Championship. However, the midfielder is yet to make a senior appearance for the Three Lions. Given his performance, the player is not far from getting a call from the national team. Here is the overview of his International career in which he represented England in whites.

Note: The numbers can be different in different sources due to differences in accounting of assists and goals based on different rules.

James McAtee Awards and Achievements

At 22 years of age, James McAtee has earned a lot of awards and achievements in his name. These awards include - FA Youth Cup with Manchester City in 2020, scoring in the final. In 2021/22, he was named Manchester City EDS Players’ Player of the Year and Premier League 2 Player of the Season. Here is the detailed table of all the awards and achievements this young lad has won so far.