James Scanlon (footballer)
Gibraltarian footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Robert Scanlon (born 28 September 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Swindon Town, on loan from Manchester United, and the Gibraltar national team. He is right-footed and plays on the left wing.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Robert Scanlon | ||
| Date of birth | 28 September 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Leicester, England | ||
| Positions | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Swindon Town (on loan from Manchester United) | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2021 | Derby County | ||
| 2021–2025 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Manchester United | 0 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Swindon Town (loan) | 6 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022 | Gibraltar U17 | 4 | (3) |
| 2023– | Gibraltar U21 | 4 | (0) |
| 2024– | Gibraltar | 22 | (2) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 April 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 March 2026 | |||
A product of Derby County and Manchester United academies, Scanlon became the first Manchester United player to represent Gibraltar while at the club.[2]
Club career
Scanlon began playing youth football at Derby County before joining Manchester United in February 2021 amidst growing financial uncertainty at Pride Park.[3] After breaking into the under-18 team towards the end of the 2022–23 season,[4] he became a first-year scholar with the Red Devils in July 2023.[5] During the 2023–24 season he participated in the Red Devils' 2023–24 UEFA Youth League campaign while also making appearances for the under-21 side and training with the first team under Erik ten Hag.[6] He signed his first professional deal on 23 May 2024,[7] subsequently travelling with the first team on their pre-season tour of the United States.[8] In August, he won the Best Forward award at that year's Otten Cup youth tournament.[9]
After an impressive 2024–25 season with the youth teams, Scanlon was named in a senior matchday squad for the first time on 13 March 2025, in a UEFA Europa League tie against Real Sociedad.[10]
On 2 February 2026, despite interest from across Europe, Scanlon moved on loan to EFL League Two side Swindon Town for the rest of the 2025–26 season.[11]
International career
Scanlon was born on 28 September 2006, in the Midlands to an English father and Gibraltarian mother,[12] making him eligible to represent England and Gibraltar. He first represented Gibraltar at under-17 level, scoring a brace on his debut as Gibraltar recorded a shock 8–2 win over Liechtenstein on 25 August 2022.[13] The next year he made his under-21 debut in a 2–0 defeat to Georgia in Kutaisi, on 6 September 2023.[14] On 15 March 2024, he was called up to a revamped senior team by head coach Julio César Ribas for their UEFA Nations League play-out against Lithuania.
On 21 March 2024, Scanlon made his senior debut as a 74th minute substitute for Liam Walker in a 0–1 loss against Lithuania.[2] On 8 September 2024, Scanlon scored his first senior goal and first for his country, as Gibraltar drew 2–2 with Liechtenstein in their opening match of the 2024–25 Nations League.[15] The goal made him the country's and the UEFA Nations League youngest goalscorer at 17 years 346 days, breaking the records previously set by Tjay De Barr.[16]
Personal life
Scanlon's mother Gabriella (née Falero) is a former athlete who jointly holds the Gibraltarian record for the women's 4 × 100 m relay,[17] and met her husband while studying at Loughborough University.[18] His father Rob was a British Universities and Colleges Sport champion in the 1500 metres.[1] His younger brother, Luca, is current in the youth system at Burnley, and has also represented Gibraltar at international level.
Career statistics
- As of match played 18 April 2026[19]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United U21 | 2023–24[20] | — | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25 | — | — | — | — | — | 1[b] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2025–26 | — | — | — | — | — | 6[c] | 1 | 6 | 1 | |||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | ||||||
| Manchester United | 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Swindon Town (loan) | 2025–26 | EFL League Two | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| Career total | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 2 | ||
- Appearance in EFL Trophy
- Appearance in National League Cup
- Three appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in the National League Cup
International
- As of 31 March 2026
| Gibraltar | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 1 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 22 | 2 |
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8 September 2024 | Europa Point Stadium, Europa Point, Gibraltar |  Liechtenstein | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2024–25 UEFA Nations League |
| 2. | 9 June 2025 | Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands |  Faroe Islands | 1–0 | 1–2 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |