James Tavernier

James Henry Tavernier (/ˈtævɜːrˈnɪər/; born 31 October 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back and is club captain for Scottish Premiership club Rangers.

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 more than 500 appearances for the club, scored 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.

Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Tavernier joined the Leeds United youth system at the age of nine after being picked up from local club Farsley Celtic. He spent six seasons at Leeds, playing a season in goal before moving to a central midfield role.

Tavernier moved to Newcastle United in 2009. He made his first-team debut in a 2–0 defeat against Peterborough United in the League Cup third round on 22 September 2009, playing the full 90 minutes.

On 7 January 2011, Tavernier joined Gateshead of the Conference Premier, along with Newcastle teammate Jóan Símun Edmundsson, on a 28-day loan. He made his debut the next day, in a 1–1 home draw against Kidderminster Harriers. Afterwards, his loan deal at the club was extended until 9 April. Gateshead manager Ian Bogie commented by saying Tavernier had a big future in the game. He was recalled by Newcastle on 24 March because of a suspension picked up by defensive cover player James Perch in a reserve team game. Tavernier appeared on the bench for Newcastle's 4–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 2 April.

On 11 August 2011, Tavernier joined League One team Carlisle United on an initial one-month loan that was extended to mid-November a month later. Just like his Gateshead counterpart, Carlisle manager Greg Abbott was impressed by Tavernier. He came back to Newcastle after a successful loan spell during which he made 17 appearances. Tavernier joined fellow third-tier team Sheffield Wednesday on 21 November, on loan until 9 January 2012. On 31 January 2012, Tavernier joined a third League One team, Milton Keynes Dons, on loan until the end of the season. His loan spell was cut short when Alan Pardew recalled him in April.

Tavernier made his European debut on 23 August 2012, playing the entirety of Newcastle's 1–1 draw at Atromitos in UEFA Europa League qualification. He totalled seven appearances for the team across four competitions that season, making his Premier League debut on 29 September by coming on for Steven Taylor in the 56th minute of a 2–2 draw away to Reading. Tavernier joined Shrewsbury Town on 26 July 2013 on an initial month-long loan, but returned to his parent club early having aggravated a pre-existing metatarsal injury. He joined Rotherham United on 28 November 2013 on a short-term emergency loan deal. Two days later on his debut at the New York Stadium, he scored his first career goal to conclude a 4–1 win over Gillingham. He totalled five goals in 27 games – all starts – including both on 29 March 2014 in a 2–1 win over Bristol City. He won promotion to the Championship with Rotherham, beating Leyton Orient on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May.