Leeds United winger Daniel James has shared the story of how he became involved with the Wales national team despite being born in England. Hailing from Hull and nurtured in Hull City’s academy, James displayed his talent from a young age. Despite being 26 now, he has been a part of the international scene for more than a decade, though not representing his country of birth.
With over 50 caps for Wales, James progressed through the youth ranks to become a pivotal player under Rob Page’s management. Recently featuring in their Euro 2024 play-off final against Poland, James recalled his journey into the Welsh setup during an interview on Leeds’ official YouTube channel.
Reflecting on his early years in football, James credited his father for his significant role. He emphasized how his father devoted weekends to accompany him to matches, ultimately reaching out to the Football Association of Wales (FAW) when James was around 11 or 12 years old. This led to James joining North Wales for training sessions, progressing through various levels until his first international camp around the age of 14 or 15, where he made his debut for Wales against Belgium and Switzerland.
James highlighted the impact of his father’s support, stating that without him, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to represent Wales at such a young age, which ultimately shaped his career trajectory.
At Leeds United, James is part of a strong Welsh contingent, including international teammates Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, and Ethan Ampadu. Additionally, young midfielder Charlie Crew also represents Wales internationally and has earned a place on the bench for Leeds’ recent Championship fixtures.
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