Nathaniel James

Nathaniel Mark "Natty" James (born 17 June 2004) is a Trinidadian footballer who currently plays for MLS Next Pro side North Texas SC and the Trinidad and Tobago national team.

James won the TT Premier Football League Golden Boot in 2023 with Club Sando F.C., scoring 15 goals in 22 appearances, and has previously played professionally for Jamaica Premier League side Mount Pleasant F.A.. He made his professional debut with Trinidadian club W Connection F.C. in 2020 at the age of 15.

Born in Port of Spain, James was raised in La Horquetta where his father Mark trained him to become a professional footballer. As a youth, James attended Trinidad's prestigious Queen's Royal College and played for their football team. James signed a professional deal with TT Premier Football League team W Connection F.C.. At the age of 15 in 2020, he made a handful of appearances for W Connection's first team and scored a goal before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago.

He moved to Club Sando F.C. for the 2023 TT Premier Football League season, He joined Portland Hearts of Pine in 2025, ahead of their inaugural season in USL League One. He made his debut for the Hearts of Pine in a 2–1 defeat to Rhode Island FC in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, and scored his first goal for the club in his League One debut against Union Omaha on May 10, 2025. His goal came just minutes after being substituted on, and drew the Hearts level in a match that finished 2–2. the first of which was voted as the 2025 USL League One Goal of the Year.

Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, James left the Hearts of Pine and joined North Texas SC, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of Major League Soccer team FC Dallas.

National team career James scored four times in as many appearances in the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. He was subsequently called up to Trinidad and Tobago's senior team, and scored on his debut against Curaçao.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list Trinidad and Tobago's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each James goal.

Honours

Individual

Club Sando F.C.

TT Premier Football League Golden Boot: 2023

Portland Hearts of Pine

USL League One Goal of the Year: 2025