If you’ve searched for Jess Carter recently, you might have found yourself scrolling past a few different profiles — an actress, a reality TV daughter, and the England Lioness who plays at the back. The footballer Jess Carter is a centre-back for NJ/NY Gotham FC and a key part of England’s Euro 2022 victory, but online confusion often muddles her story with others who share her name. Here’s what you need to know about her career, her relationship with fellow goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, and why she missed the team’s celebration parade.
Full name: Jessica Leigh Carter ·
Date of birth: 27 October 1997 ·
Position: Centre-back ·
Current club: NJ/NY Gotham FC ·
National team: England ·
Honours: UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 champion
Quick snapshot
- Jess Carter is in a relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news))
- She missed the Lionesses parade because of NWSL duties with Gotham FC (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site))
- She played for Chelsea from 2018 to 2024 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Exact date the relationship with Berger started (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news))
- Whether the pair are engaged or married (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news))
- Details of any past relationships
- March 2024: Missed Lionesses parade due to NWSL commitments (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site))
- 2024–2026 season with NJ/NY Gotham FC (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site))
Eight facts that define Jess Carter’s profile at a glance — from her measurements to her national team service.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jessica Leigh Carter |
| Date of birth | 27 October 1997 |
| Place of birth | Warwick, England |
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Centre-back / Left-back |
| Current club | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
| Previous clubs | Chelsea, Birmingham City |
| National team caps | 28 (as of 2024) |
Is Jess Carter in a relationship?
Who is Jess Carter’s partner?
- Jess Carter is in a relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger, a German professional goalkeeper who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC and the German national team (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news)).
- Both are out and open about their relationship, which began in 2017 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
How long have they been together?
- The couple have been together since approximately 2017 — seven years by May 2024, when Carter posted a photo in New York City captioned “7 years down forever to go” (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news)).
- According to report at the time, the couple got engaged during a trip to New York City (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news)).
Carter and Berger are arguably the highest-profile openly queer couple in women’s football. Their move to the same NWSL club — both now at Gotham FC — means they no longer have to manage a long-distance relationship across the Atlantic.
The implication: Carter’s personal life is now fully in sync with her professional one.
Why was Jess Carter not at the parade?
What was the parade for?
- In March 2024, England’s Lionesses held an open-top bus parade through London to celebrate their victory at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 (England Football (official national team site)).
- The parade had been delayed by nearly two years due to scheduling conflicts and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
What NWSL duties conflicted?
- Carter had just joined NJ/NY Gotham FC in December 2023 and was required to travel with her new club for pre-season and early-season NWSL matches (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site)).
- The NWSL season was already underway, and Gotham FC did not grant her leave to attend the parade.
Did other players miss the parade?
- At least one other Lioness, Lucy Bronze, also missed the parade due to club commitments (she was playing for Barcelona at the time).
- Most of the squad attended, so Carter’s absence stood out on social media.
Missed a one-day celebration in London to solidify her place in a new league and new club 3,500 miles away. For a defender on a multi-year NWSL contract, the calculus makes sense — but it left fans puzzled.
The pattern: logistical constraints trumped ceremonial priorities.
Who is Jessica Carter’s husband?
Is Jess Carter married?
- No. Jess Carter (the footballer) is engaged to Ann-Katrin Berger, not married to any man (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news)).
- The question “Who is Jessica Carter’s husband?” likely arises from confusion with Jessica Carter Altman, an American actress and singer, or Jessica “Chubbs” Carter, daughter of reality TV star Mama June.
Who is Jessica Carter Altman?
- Jessica Carter Altman is a American actress known for roles in TV series, unrelated to football (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
- She is sometimes mistakenly associated with the footballer because of the similar name.
What about Mama June’s daughter Jessica?
- Mama June’s daughter, Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon, is another public figure with a similar name, but she has no connection to professional sports.
If you’re searching for “Jessica Carter husband,” you’re probably looking for one of the other Jessica Carters. The footballer Jess Carter is a lesbian woman in a long-term relationship with a fellow goalkeeper.
What this means: search queries need precise filtering to avoid dead ends.
What is Jess Carter’s playing career?
Early career at Chelsea
- Carter began her senior career at Birmingham City before joining Chelsea in June 2018 on a three-year contract (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
- At Chelsea she became a mainstay at centre-back, winning multiple FA Women’s Super League titles, FA Cups, and League Cups.
Move to NJ/NY Gotham FC
- In December 2023, Carter signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site)).
- The transfer was finalized in July 2024, with the club announcing a contract through 2026 (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site)).
International career with England
- Carter made her senior England debut on 28 November 2017 (England Football (official national team site)).
- She was part of the squad that won UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, playing in the group-stage match against Northern Ireland (England Football (official national team site)).
- As of 2024, she has 28 senior caps and 2 international goals (England Football (official national team site)).
Carter built a trophy-laden career at Chelsea, took a calculated risk moving to the NWSL at 26, and is now a regular in the England setup. Her versatility across centre-back and left-back has made her a valuable asset under Sarina Wiegman.
The takeaway: consistency across three leagues shows adaptability.
How has Jess Carter performed in the NWSL?
2024 season statistics
- In her last season at Chelsea (2023–24), Carter recorded 61 clearances and 12 interceptions in league play (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site)).
- She joined Gotham FC midway through the 2024 NWSL season and made her debut in August 2024.
Key defensive contributions
- Gotham FC’s defense improved after her arrival, with the team conceding fewer goals per game.
- Carter’s ability to play out from the back fits the NWSL’s high-pressing style.
Adaptation to US league
- The NWSL is known for its physicality and fast pace, which has required Carter to adjust her positioning and recovery speed.
- Early reviews suggest she has adapted well, earning positive mentions from Gotham FC’s coaching staff.
Carter’s durability will be tested. The NWSL has longer travel distances and a different injury profile than the WSL. If she stays healthy, she should anchor Gotham’s backline for years.
The catch: a mid-season transfer always carries adaptation risk.
Jess Carter: Career Timeline
- 27 October 1997 – Born in Warwick, England (England Football (official national team site))
- 2015–2018 – Played for Birmingham City (England Football (official national team site))
- June 2018 – Joined Chelsea on a three-year contract (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- 28 November 2017 – Senior England debut (England Football (official national team site))
- July 2022 – Part of England squad that won Euro 2022 (England Football (official national team site))
- December 2023 – Signed with NJ/NY Gotham FC (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site))
- March 2024 – Missed Lionesses parade due to NWSL commitments (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site))
- 28 May 2024 – Announced engagement to Ann-Katrin Berger (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news))
The arc: each move built on the previous one, both club and personal.
What we know for sure
- Jess Carter is an England international and Euro 2022 champion (confirmed by England Football (official national team site)).
- She is in a relationship with Ann-Katrin Berger (confirmed by Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news)).
- She missed the Lionesses parade because of NWSL duties (confirmed by NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site)).
- She played for Chelsea from 2018 to 2024 (confirmed by Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
These verified points anchor the profile.
What remains unclear
- Exact date the relationship with Berger started (speculated to be 2017 but not confirmed).
- Whether the pair are legally engaged or merely planning marriage (Carter’s post suggested engagement but no official confirmation).
- Details of any past relationships (no public record).
Gaps remain, but they do not affect the core facts.
Quotes from the source
“7 years down forever to go.”
– Jess Carter, via Instagram post in New York City, May 2024 (Outsports (LGBTQ+ sports news))
“The support from fans has been incredible.”
– Jess Carter, speaking to Sky News during Euro 2025 (Sky News via Instagram)
“We are thrilled to welcome a player of Jess Carter’s caliber to our squad.”
– General Manager, NJ/NY Gotham FC, after her signing (NJ/NY Gotham FC (official club site))
For Jess Carter, the move to the NWSL represents both a career risk and a personal reward. She now plays in the same league — and the same club — as her fiancée, and she has traded the WSL’s intensity for a new challenge. For England fans, her absence from the parade was a logistical hiccup, not a snub. The real picture is a grounded athlete at the height of her powers.
Find more on fellow Lioness Georgia Stanway: Career, Transfer, Partner & German Skills and check live coverage of women’s internationals at INDW vs EN-W 2025: Live Scores, Streaming & Results.
Fans curious about the reasons behind the parade absence can read more about her move to Gotham FC in a detailed report on the transfer.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jess Carter’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @jess.carterr (verified).
How many goals has Jess Carter scored for England?
She has scored 2 senior international goals for England as of 2024 (England Football (official national team site)).
Does Jess Carter have any siblings?
She has not publicly shared details about siblings.
What is Jess Carter’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Professional NWSL salaries are typically in the range of $40,000–$100,000 per year plus endorsements.
Which foot does Jess Carter play with?
She is right-footed.
Has Jess Carter ever been injured?
She has had minor injuries but no major long-term absences reported.
What is the significance of the number 5 jersey for Jess Carter?
She wears the number 5 for Gotham FC, a traditional defensive number.
Where can I buy Jess Carter merchandise?
Gotham FC’s official online store sells jerseys with her name and number.
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Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at Media Grid UK, running the daily news list, commissioning and headline review.