Julia Nicole Lester (born January 16, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Julia Lester
Lester with Racing Louisville in 2023
Personal information
Full name Julia Nicole Lester
Date of birth (1998-01-16) January 16, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Seattle Reign FC
Number 13
Youth career
Tampa Bay United
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Florida Gators 86 (3)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Apollon Ladies
2022–2023 Racing Louisville 33 (0)
2024– Seattle Reign 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 22, 2024

Collegiate career

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A family youth and community sciences major, Lester played for the Florida Gators from 2016 to 2019.[1]

Club career

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After graduating from the University of Florida in August 2020, Lester signed for Cypriot club Apollon Ladies and played in the UEFA Women's Champions League.[2] She was named to the league's Best XI in 2021 and captained the team.[3]

In March 2022, Lester followed Apollon Ladies' former manager Kim Björkegren and signed for Racing Louisville of the American NWSL.[4]

In January 2024, Lester was traded to fellow NWSL club Seattle Reign.[5] She subsequently extended her contract with the Reign until 2025.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Julia Lester - Soccer". Florida Gators.
  2. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  3. ^ "Julia Lester".
  4. ^ "Racing signs European champion defender Lester".
  5. ^ "Julia Lester joins Seattle Reign FC, Sam Hiatt goes to Gotham FC in three-team trade". Sounder at Heart. January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Seattle Reign FC Extends Defender Julia Lester". Seattle Reign FC.
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