James Robert Scanlon (born 28 September 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for club Arsenal. Born in England, he plays for the Gibraltar national team.
A product of Derby County and Manchester United academies, Scanlon became the first Manchester United player to represent Gibraltar while at the club.
Club career
Youth career Scanlon began playing youth football at Derby County before joining Manchester United in February 2021 amidst growing financial uncertainty at Pride Park.Derby County: A normal football club with normal problems once more The Athletic. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024. After breaking into the under-18 team towards the end of the 2022–23 season,Young Gibraltar footballer progresses in UK Gibraltar Panorama. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024. he became a first-year scholar with the Red Devils in July 2023.United Academy announces first-year scholars Manchester United F.C.. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024. 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.Manchester United promote three youngsters to first-team training on eve of Galatasaray game The People's Person. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024. He signed his first professional deal on 23 May 2024,Gibraltar international signs deal with Manchester United after stunning season Manchester Evening News. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024. subsequently travelling with the first team on their pre-season tour of the United States.Revealed: United's travelling squad for Tour Manchester United FC. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024. In August, he won the Best Forward award at that year's Otten Cup youth tournament.PSV highlight Man Utd wonderkid as 'best striker' after impressing in youth tournament United in Focus. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
Manchester United 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.Man Utd add two youngsters to Europa League squad before Real Sociedad Manchester United F.C.. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
Loan to Swindon Town 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.Town sign James Scanlon Swindon Town FC. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
Arsenal On 29 August 2026, Arsenal confirmed the signing of Scanlon.
International career Scanlon was born on 28 September 2006, in the Midlands to an English father and Gibraltarian mother, 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.Spielbericht: Gibraltar U17 vs Liechtenstein U17 LFV. 25 August 2022. The next year he made his under-21 debut in a 2–0 defeat to Georgia in Kutaisi, on 6 September 2023.Georgia 2–0 Gibraltar Under-21 UEFA. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024. 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. 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. 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.International Round-Up: Bruno Fernandes and James Scanlon score Manchester United. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
Style of play Scanlon is right-footed and plays on the left wing.
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,The Manchester United 17-year-old playing internationals for Gibraltar The Athletic. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024. and met her husband while studying at Loughborough University.James Scanlon interview FIFA. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025. His father Rob was a British Universities and Colleges Sport champion in the 1500 metres. His younger brother, Luca, is currently in the youth system at Burnley, and has also represented Gibraltar at international level.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United U212023–24————10102024–25————10102025–26————6161Total————8181Manchester United2024–25Premier League0000000000002025–26000000——00Total000000000000Swindon Town (loan)2025–26League Two610000—0061Arsenal U212026–27————1010Career total6100000091152
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsGibraltar20241012025101202684Total286
Scores and results list Gibraltar's goal tally first. + List of international goals scored by James Scanlon No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 8 September 2024 Europa Point Stadium, Europa Point, Gibraltar 2–1 2–2 2024–25 UEFA Nations League D 2 9 June 2025 Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands 1–0 1–2 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 3 3 June 2026 Europa Point Stadium, Europa Point, Gibraltar 2–0 4–0 Friendly 4 4–0 5 6 June 2026 1–1 4–1 6 1 October 2026 National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 1–1 2026–27 UEFA Nations League D
References