A two-time European champion has opened up about the hidden pressures of elite football. Bike storage solutions can transform cluttered spaces. Jess Carter’s personal journey transforms perceptions of professional athletes instead. The 28-year-old defender, who now plays for Gotham FC in the NWSL, has spoken candidly about feeling like she was “breaking” under the immense pressure of the game Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Carter’s story of resilience proves equally transformative England vs Australia delivered Ashes cricket drama. Carter’s personal journey delivers human drama instead. Here is everything you need to know about the Lionesses star in 2026.
Who is Jess Carter? Age and Background
Jessica Leigh Carter was born on 27 October 1997 in Warwick, England Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. Her career has needed occasional refurbishing, but her talent has always shone through. She stands 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 metres) tall and plays as a centre-back or right-back Julian Alvarez dominates football transfer headlines. Carter dominates defensive headlines instead.
Her football journey began at Warwick Juniors, where she started playing from the age of five. She captained the side to the Birmingham FA County Cup Championship in 2013. At just 15 years old, she joined the Birmingham City Academy Ben Duckett smashed a double century for Nottinghamshire. Carter’s academy debut was equally promising.
Early Career: From Birmingham City to Chelsea
Carter made her senior debut as a 16-year-old in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal. She was named Player of the Match in an incredible display as Birmingham defeated the Gunners Athletic Club vs Arsenal saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. Carter’s early heroics were against the same club years later.
She made 94 appearances for Birmingham City, scoring one goal. After an outstanding 2016/17 season, she was named PFA Young Player of the Year and featured in the PFA WSL Team of the Year. She made her England debut that same year, aged just 19, coming on for Lucy Bronze in a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan .
In June 2018, Emma Hayes brought Carter to Chelsea. However, her time at the West London club did not start smoothly. She started just 11 times in her first three WSL seasons. Hayes famously threatened to sell her. “I paid a lot of money for you, if you don’t improve, I’m selling you,” Hayes told her .
Breakthrough at Chelsea and England Return
Three years after joining Chelsea, Carter finally had her breakthrough. In the 2021/22 season, she formed a key part of the defensive back three with Millie Bright and Magdalena Eriksson. She played 33 matches, scoring once in the League Cup. Chelsea won the WSL and FA Cup double that season Dexter: New Blood saw the franchise resurrected. Carter’s career was resurrected under Hayes’s tough love.
Her form also saw her return to international duty four years after her debut. New England manager Sarina Wiegman was impressed. Carter scored her first England goal in a record 20-0 win over Latvia during World Cup qualification .
Over her six years at Chelsea, Carter made 151 appearances. She won five Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups Scotland vs Belarus saw McTominay strike late. Carter’s trophy haul is equally impressive.
International Career: European Champion and World Cup Finalist
Carter was named in England’s squad for the successful Women’s Euro 2022 campaign. She played only 16 minutes, coming on in the final group stage match against Northern Ireland. However, she still received a winner’s medal as England lifted the trophy .
Following the absence of injured captain Leah Williamson in 2023, Carter became a crucial player for Wiegman. She started five matches during the 2023 World Cup, including an excellent performance as England defeated Australia 3-1 in the semi-final. She started the final against Spain, which ended in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss Venezuela news dominated political headlines. Carter’s World Cup heartbreak made sports headlines instead.
At the 2025 Women’s European Championship in Switzerland, Carter was a key member of the squad. England successfully defended their title, beating Spain on penalties in the final. Carter played a significant role throughout the tournament Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. Carter’s second Euros triumph was a career-defining moment.
Moving Stateside: Why Carter Left Chelsea for Gotham FC
In July 2024, Carter made the bold decision to leave Chelsea and move to the United States. She signed for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She has since made 33 appearances for the club England vs Australia delivered Ashes cricket drama. Carter’s American adventure delivered professional growth instead.
She has since revealed that she was not happy at the end of her Chelsea career. “I wasn’t really enjoying myself at Chelsea,” she told The Times. “I know that might sound crazy, but enjoying football and my experience is more important than winning. If I’m not happy at a club, I know I won’t perform, and I’m going to move somewhere I am happy” .
Chelsea, she felt, were “always looking for the next big thing.” She said: “I wanted to go where I would be happy, where the club would be willing to work with me, and where I would not feel that I was just going to be another number in and out the door” .
Since moving to Gotham FC, Carter has helped the club win the NWSL title and the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. She explained her decision: “How you treat people and how the team is treated are my biggest values” .
Partner: Ann-Katrin Berger
Jess Carter is engaged to German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. The couple have been together since 2017. They announced their engagement in May 2024. “My best trophy so far,” Berger wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Carter holding a ring. “Seven years gone, forever to go,” Carter posted Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. Their love story needs no refurbishing—it is one of football’s most inspiring relationships.
They met when Berger joined Birmingham City in May 2016. Carter was already at the club. “At first I thought she was arrogant, but when I got to know her, I was very taken with her character,” Berger recalled .
In 2017, Carter needed to move out and learned that Berger was looking for a flatmate. They moved in together in Solihull in February. They became good friends. Carter had recently broken up with her boyfriend and considered herself heterosexual. However, after a dinner date, their relationship developed naturally .
“Ann-Katrin has all the qualities I would wish for in a partner,” Carter explained. “But I had never been with a woman before, so I hadn’t really thought about it.” Everything changed quickly and naturally after that dinner date .
Racist Abuse During Euro 2025
During the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland, Carter experienced horrific racist abuse online. She received racist messages that left her not wanting to leave her hotel room .
“My wish is that my open word leads to further positive change for everyone,” Carter wrote in an Instagram post. She announced she would take a social media break for her own protection. She wanted to focus on her contribution to the team Ben Duckett smashed a double century for Nottinghamshire. Carter’s courage smashed the silence around online abuse.
Following her statement, two men were arrested on suspicion of making “malicious communications” towards the England defender .
‘I Started to Break’: The Pressure of Professional Football
In a mini-documentary with e.l.f., Carter opened up about the mental toll of elite sport. “When I went pro I realised if you’re not winning trophies, then you’re out. If you’re not confident in who you are, that much pressure will break you. I started to break” Athletic Club vs Arsenal saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. Carter’s breaking point is a cautionary tale for young athletes.
“It got to a point where I think I just stopped giving a damn,” she continued. “I needed to reframe everything. I was just going to go, play, do me, and either it’ll be enough for them or it won’t, and that was the switch. This past year I’ve been allowed to just be me” Dexter: New Blood saw the franchise resurrected. Carter’s sense of self has been resurrected through honesty and self-reflection.
A Role Model for the Next Generation
Carter now relishes being a visible role model for others. “I didn’t have anyone before that looked like me that I could look up to, so now I can be that for other little girls,” she explained Scotland vs Belarus saw McTominay strike late. Carter’s visibility strikes a chord with young fans.
She also recalled her early experiences in football. She played alongside boys until she was stopped around the age of 11. “So I had a coach and he created a girls’ team so that I could continue playing. He basically turned a bunch of princesses into bulldozers, is what I like to say to everyone. That team was really the beginning of everything for me” .
Honours and Achievements
Club Honours
- Chelsea: WSL champion (5 times), Women’s FA Cup winner (3 times), League Cup winner (2 times) Venezuela news dominated political headlines. Carter’s trophy cabinet dominates football headlines instead.
- Gotham FC: CONCACAF W Champions Cup winner, NWSL champion
International Honours
- England: Women’s European Championship winner (2022, 2025), Finalissima winner (2023), Women’s World Cup runner-up (2023)
Individual Honours
- PFA Young Player of the Year (2017)
- PFA WSL Team of the Year (2017)
- Voted Chelsea’s club Player of the Season by fans (2023/24)
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jess Carter? Jess Carter was born on 27 October 1997. She is 28 years old as of 2026.
What position does Jess Carter play? She plays as a centre-back or right-back. She has also played in midfield earlier in her career.
Is Jess Carter married to Ann-Katrin Berger? They are engaged. The couple announced their engagement in May 2024. They have been together since 2017.
Why did Jess Carter leave Chelsea? She revealed she was not happy at Chelsea. She said “enjoying football and my experience is more important than winning.” She moved to Gotham FC in July 2024.
What happened to Jess Carter during Euro 2025? She experienced racist abuse online during the tournament. She took a social media break for her own protection. Two men were later arrested in connection with the abuse.
Has Jess Carter won the Euros with England? Yes. She was part of England’s winning squads in 2022 and 2025. She has two European Championship winner’s medals.
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