| Jess Simpson | |
| Fullname: | Jessica Simpson |
| Birth Date: | 13 January 2005 |
| Birth Place: | Clitheroe, Lancashire, England |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Manchester United |
| Clubnumber: | 38 |
| Youthclubs1: | Burnley |
| Youthclubs2: | Manchester United |
| Years1: | 2022– |
| Clubs1: | Manchester United |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs2: | → Bristol City (loan) |
| Caps2: | 1 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2021–2022 |
| Nationalteam1: | England U17 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 5 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2022–2023 |
| Nationalteam2: | England U19 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 5 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 1 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2024– |
| Nationalteam3: | England U23 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 1 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 22:12, 24 November 2024 (UTC) |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 19:47, 3 December 2024 (UTC) |
Jessica Simpson (born 13 January 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Manchester United and the England under-23 national team.
Simpson is from Clitheroe, in the Borough of Ribble Valley, Lancashire. She is from a sporting family background and her grandad previously played for Accrington Stanley.[1]
A product of the Manchester United Academy, Simpson began playing football aged four, joining Burnley aged ten. She then joined United aged eleven, followed by featuring for the under-16s,[2] under-21s,[3] and the academy team of the Professional Game League.[4] Simpson featured in the under-21 side that won the Academy League and Cup in the 2021–22 season.[5] [6]
On 27 January 2023, Simpson signed her first professional contract with WSL side Manchester United. She made her senior debut for United in a friendly match against Birkirkara FC in Malta.[7]
In July 2024, she returned to training after her injury on loan to Bristol.[8] Her shirt number was confirmed as 38 for the 2024–25 season.[9] On 20 November, Simpson made her competitive debut for United in the 2024–25 League Cup against Everton, as a 60th minute substitute for a 2–0 victory.[10]
On 14 September 2023,[11] on deadline day,[12] Simspon joined Women's Championship club Bristol City on loan for the 2023–24 season.[13]
On 21 October 2024, Simpson returned to United having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the League Cup match against Southampton.[14] [15] Simpson was one of three United players to suffer from the injury in the season.[16]
On 11 October 2022, for 2023 U19 Championship qualification, Simpson scored her debut youth international goal for the England under-19s in a 1–1 draw with Denmark.[17] On 2 December 2024, she made her debut for the under-23s in a 2–1 defeat to Sweden as part of a European competition.[18]
In 2022 Simpson was studying sports science for a BTEC, with the intent to move to the United States. In 2023, she officiated the opening of a new multi-million pound facility in Blackpool.[19] [20] Simson is an ambassador Dan's Trust, a charity that has helped her with a grant towards her football career.