Julia Lester (soccer)
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_014.jpg) Lester with the Seattle Reign in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Julia Nicole Lester | ||
| Date of birth | January 16, 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Tampa, Florida, USA | ||
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sporting JAX | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Tampa Bay United | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2019 | Florida Gators | 86 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Apollon Ladies | ||
| 2022–2023 | Racing Louisville | 33 | (0) |
| 2024– | Seattle Reign | 5 | (0) |
| 2025 | → Sporting JAX (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2026– | Sporting JAX | 6 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of March 28, 2026 | |||
Julia Nicole Lester (born January 16, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Sporting JAX of the USL Super League.
A family youth and community sciences major, Lester played for the Florida Gators from 2016 to 2019.[1]
Professional career
Apollon Ladies
After graduating from the University of Florida in August 2020, Lester signed for Cypriot club Apollon Ladies and played in the UEFA Women's Champions League.[2] She was named to the league's Best XI in 2021 and captained the team.[3]
Racing Louisville
In March 2022, Lester followed Apollon Ladies' former manager Kim Björkegren and signed for Racing Louisville of the American NWSL.[4]
Seattle Reign
In January 2024, Lester was traded to fellow NWSL club Seattle Reign.[5] She subsequently extended her contract with the Reign until 2025.[6]
Sporting JAX
On July 9, 2025, Lester returned to her home state of Florida on a loan to USL Super League team Sporting JAX through the end of 2025.[7] This move marked a reunion, as she rejoined her former college teammate Parker Roberts and her collegiate coaches, Becky Burleigh and Alan Kirkup. At the end of September, Lester was named to the USL Super League Team of the Month for her strong performances. She made the team as a bench player.[8]
After starting all 14 of Sporting JAX's games and leading the team in minutes, she joined the club on a permanent deal in January 2026.[9]
