Tajio James

Tajio James (born 17 December 2003) is a Barbadian footballer who plays as a midfielder for NK Varaždin of the Croatian Football League, and the Barbados national team.

Club career As a youth James was part of the KFC Pinelands Football Academy and Pro Shottas United. With the latter he won a number of youth titles. For the 2020 Barbados Premier League season he was part of the youth movement at UWI Blackbirds FC. He scored his first two Premier League goals on 3 March 2020 in a 4–0 victory over Brittons Hill FC.

In August 2021 it was announced that James and fellow-Barbadian Devonte Richards had received a scholarship to play college soccer in the United States for the Golden Eagles of Feather River College. Late in the season he was leading the conference in both goals and points. Following his sophomore season, James was named to the second team of the United Soccer Coaches 2022 Junior College Division III All-America Team.

In April 2023 it was announced that James had transferred to NCAA Division I school Central Arkansas University to play for the Bears. He joined Houston FC of the USL League Two for the 2024 season. James made ten appearances for the club, scoring two goals, throughout the season.

Following graduation from Central Arkansas, James signed for NK Varaždin of the Croatian Football League, the top-flight league in Croatia, on a three-year deal. The signing culminated a summer trial with the club which included a goal in a friendly with Hungarian club Paksi FC. In September 2025, the player was loaned out to NK Bjelovar of the Second League.

International career James represented Barbados as a youth at the U15 and U17 levels, He received his first senior call-up by head coach Russell Latapy in February 2021. He was called up again for the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B. James went on to make his senior international debut on 2 June 2022 in Barbados's opening match against Antigua and Barbuda.

James scored his first senior international goal in a 1–1 friendly draw with Grenada on 22 February 2023. Two days later he scored two more goals in another draw with the same opponent.

International goals Scores and results list Barbados's goal tally first. No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1. 22 February 2023 Fond Playing Field, Sauteurs, Grenada 1–1 1–1 Friendly2. 24 February 2023 Kirani James Athletic Stadium St. George's, Grenada 1–0 2–2 3. 2–14. 26 March 2023 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda 2–1 2–1 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B5. 20 November 2023 Blakes Estate Stadium, Lookout, Montserrat 2–4 2–4 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League BLast updated 20 November 2023

International career statistics