James Tavernier
James Henry Tavernier (/ˈtævɜ:ʳˈnɪɘʳ/; born 31 October 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Scottish Premiership club Rangers, where he is club captain.
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Tavernier playing for Rangers in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Henry Tavernier | ||
| Date of birth | 31 October 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Bradford, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.82 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Right-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Rangers | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Farsley Celtic | |||
| 2001–2008 | Leeds United | ||
| 2008–2009 | Newcastle United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2014 | Newcastle United | 2 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Gateshead (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Carlisle United (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2012 | → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2013 | → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | → Rotherham United (loan) | 27 | (5) |
| 2014–2015 | Wigan Athletic | 11 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Bristol City (loan) | 12 | (3) |
| 2015– | Rangers | 310 | (90) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:59, 17 April 2024 (UTC) | |||
After starting at the Leeds United Academy, he began his professional career at Newcastle United, spending most of his tenure on loans at six lower level clubs, including winning the League One playoffs with Rotherham United. In 2014, he signed for Wigan Athletic, where by his own admission, he struggled. He spent the second half of his only Wigan season on loan at Bristol City, playing more consistently as they won League One.
Tavernier signed for Rangers in 2015, winning two trophies in his first season. He scored the goal that won Rangers the Scottish Championship, and was man of the match as they won the Scottish Challenge Cup, scoring a long-range volley in the final. At the beginning of the 2018–19 season, he was named as the club captain, going on to win the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and the Scottish Cup the following season. He was the top scorer as they finished runners-up in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League. He has made over 400 appearances for the club, scoring over 100 goals, and was PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year in 2021. He was inducted to Rangers Hall of Fame in 2023. In March 2024, Tavernier became the highest scoring defender in British professional football history.