Few players in modern football spend their entire career at one club, let alone rack up over 500 appearances and 100 goals. James Forrest has done exactly that at Celtic, a one-club man who has become a fixture in the Scottish game. This article looks at his height, position, goals, contract, and family life, drawing on official club records and recent reports.
Date of birth: 7 July 1991 · Position: Right winger · Club: Celtic · National team: Scotland · Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) · Club appearances: 500+
Quick snapshot
- Exact current contract expiry date (latest extension announced April 2026 but length not fully detailed)
- Net worth or exact salary figures
- Marital status and details about siblings – not publicly confirmed
- Height discrepancy: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) per UEFA, 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) per Celtic
- Trophy count variance: 26 per BBC, 24 per Celtic (12 league titles, 7 Scottish Cups, 5 League Cups)
- National team caps: 39 per BBC as of Nov 2024, may have changed
- July 2009: Joined Celtic senior team (Celtic FC)
- April 2026: Signed new one-year deal, 18th season at Celtic (BBC Sport)
- Scored in every one of his 17 seasons (Sky Sports)
- Continuing at Celtic for the 2026–27 season
- Chasing more trophies – already Scotland’s most decorated active player
- Potential for international recall with Scotland
Forrest’s longevity at Celtic is rare in modern football. While many players leave for new challenges, he has stayed and won 26 trophies – a career that most footballers can only dream of.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Forrest |
| Date of birth | 7 July 1991 (age 34 as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Prestwick, Scotland |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) – varies by source |
| Position | Right winger, midfielder |
| Current club | Celtic |
| Club appearances | Over 500 |
| National team caps | 30+ |
How many goals has James Forrest scored for Celtic?
Career goal tally
Forrest reached the 100-goal milestone for Celtic, a feat confirmed by the club’s official profile (Celtic FC). As of November 2024, BBC Sport reported 109 goals and 107 assists in 511 appearances. By April 2026, Sky Sports updated that figure to 110 goals in 564 appearances. (BBC Sport: BBC Sport; Sky Sports: Sky Sports)
Season-by-season breakdown
Forrest has scored in every one of his 17 seasons at Celtic, a rare streak. His most prolific campaign came in 2018–19 when he netted 17 goals in all competitions. He has contributed to 12 league titles, 7 Scottish Cups, and 5 League Cups, per the Celtic FC profile. (Sky Sports: Sky Sports; Celtic FC: Celtic FC)
What position does James Forrest play?
Primary position
Forrest is primarily a right winger, as listed on the Celtic FC official profile. UEFA categorises him as a midfielder for European competition purposes. (UEFA: UEFA)
Secondary roles
He has also been deployed on the left wing and as an attacking midfielder when needed. His versatility is one reason he has survived multiple managerial changes at Celtic. The implication: Forrest’s tactical flexibility adds value beyond his goal tally.
How tall is James Forrest?
There is a discrepancy between official sources. The Celtic FC profile lists his height as 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), while UEFA records 170 cm (5 ft 7 in). The difference is typical of database variations. For context, his height is similar to other wide players like Raheem Sterling (5 ft 7 in) and puts him in the average range for a Premier League winger.
Height data from club and UEFA differ by 5 cm. For transfer market comparisons, most scouts rely on club measurements, but the UEFA figure is the one used for official competition registration.
What is James Forrest’s current contract length?
Recent extension
In April 2026, Sky Sports reported that Forrest agreed a new one-year deal, keeping him at Celtic until the end of the following season. BBC Sport confirmed he signed on for his 18th season. He had previously signed a three-year extension in May 2022 that was due to expire in 2025. (Sky Sports: Sky Sports; BBC Sport: BBC Sport; BBC Sport: BBC Sport)
Previous extension history
Forrest’s contract history shows a pattern of one-year extensions, likely reflecting his age (34) and Celtic’s policy of rolling deals for veteran players. The trade-off: security for the player, flexibility for the club.
Who is James Forrest’s wife?
Forrest keeps his personal life private. There is no public information about a wife or partner. Likewise, details about siblings are not confirmed. The lack of coverage is a gap in the public record – most fan queries about his family remain unanswered.
What is James Forrest’s market value on Transfermarkt?
Transfermarkt lists James Forrest with a market value, though the exact figure fluctuates. As of 2025, his value is estimated at around €1–2 million, reflecting his age but also his consistent contribution. He has no transfer history – his entire career has been at Celtic, making him a rare one-club player in the modern game.
Timeline of James Forrest’s career
- 7 July 1991 – Born in Prestwick, Scotland (Celtic FC)
- July 2009 – Signed professional contract with Celtic (Celtic FC)
- 2012–2024 – Key contributor to Celtic’s domestic dominance, winning 12 league titles, 7 Scottish Cups, 5 League Cups (Celtic FC)
- 2024 – Surpassed 500 appearances for Celtic (BBC Sport)
- April 2026 – Signed new one-year deal, 18th season (BBC Sport)
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 7 July 1991 (Celtic FC)
- Position: Right winger (Celtic FC)
- Club: Celtic (entire career) (Celtic FC)
- Over 500 appearances, 110 goals for Celtic (Sky Sports)
- Scored in every one of his 17 seasons (Sky Sports)
What’s unclear
- Exact current contract expiry date (latest extension announced but length not fully detailed)
- Net worth or exact salary
- Marital status and siblings
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) per UEFA, 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) per Celtic
- Trophy count: 26 per BBC, 24 per Celtic (12 league titles, 7 Scottish Cups, 5 League Cups)
- National team caps: 39 per BBC as of Nov 2024, may have changed
Quotes on James Forrest
“James is the ultimate professional. His consistency over the years has been remarkable. To reach 500 appearances for one club is a phenomenal achievement.”
– Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager (via BBC Sport)
“I’ve been at Celtic my whole career. It’s the only club I’ve ever wanted to play for. Every time I pull on the jersey, I give everything.”
– James Forrest (via Sky Sports)
“James has been a great servant for both club and country. His experience in the dressing room is invaluable.”
– Steve Clarke, Scotland national team coach (via BBC Sport)
Forrest’s dedication has earned praise from managers at both club and international level. The common thread: his longevity, consistency, and professionalism.
Summary
James Forrest’s career is a case study in loyalty and sustained performance. At a time when player movement is constant, he has amassed over 500 appearances, 110 goals, and 26 trophies – all for one club. For Celtic fans, the choice is clear: celebrate a living legend while he’s still on the pitch, because players like Forrest don’t come around often.
espn.com, fotmob.com, soccerbase.com, celticnewsnow.com, footystats.org, thecelticstar.com, viesnicumeklet.com
Frequently asked questions
How old is James Forrest?
Born 7 July 1991, he is 34 as of 2025.
What is James Forrest’s height?
Officially 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) per UEFA, though Celtic list 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m).
Is James Forrest married?
His marital status is not publicly known; he keeps his personal life private.
Does James Forrest have a sister or brother?
No confirmed public information about siblings.
What is James Forrest’s current contract?
He signed a one-year extension in April 2026, committing to an 18th season at Celtic.
What is James Forrest’s Transfermarkt value?
Estimated around €1–2 million as of 2025.
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Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.