BREAKING: Daniel James Announces Engagement to Leeds United Women’s Star Jess Rousseau — Wedding Date Confirmed
— A Love Story Blossoming Across Yorkshire Football —

🏟️ BREAKING: Daniel James Announces Engagement to Leeds United Women’s Star Jess Rousseau — Wedding Date Confirmed
— A Love Story Blossoming Across Yorkshire Football —
📰 Table of Contents
- Introduction: Football’s New Power Couple
- The Proposal: From Pitch to Promise
- Who is Jess Rousseau? A Star on the Rise
- A Timeline of Their Relationship
- Social Media Reactions: Fans and Footballers Celebrate
- Club Reactions: Leeds United and Wales FA Respond
- Behind the Scenes: The Proposal Planning
- The Wedding Date, Venue, and Theme
- The Guest List: Who’s Attending the Wedding of the Year?
- A Love Rooted in Football and Family
- Fashion and Festivities: What We Know About the Big Day
- What This Means for Their Careers
- Fans’ Perspective: The Ultimate Yorkshire Romance
- Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Football and Love
- Final Words from Daniel and Jess
💍 1. Introduction: Football’s New Power Couple
In a stunning and heartwarming development, football fans across the UK are celebrating the engagement of Daniel James, the Welsh international and Leeds United winger, to Jess Rousseau, the breakout star of Leeds United Women. The couple took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to share the news, revealing not only their engagement but also the official wedding date: Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The news sent shockwaves across both the men’s and women’s footballing worlds, uniting fans in celebration of what many are calling “football’s royal couple.” Their union represents a symbolic joining of the men’s and women’s games in Leeds—a club rich in history and ambition.
💘 2. The Proposal: From Pitch to Promise
The proposal reportedly took place at a private garden retreat just outside Leeds, surrounded by close friends and family. According to sources close to the couple, Daniel planned the entire evening for weeks, including a video montage of their shared footballing milestones and personal memories. The moment culminated with Daniel dropping to one knee as Jess returned home from training.
“She said yes—my teammate for life,” Daniel captioned his Instagram post, showing a glowing Jess wearing a stunning diamond ring with the Elland Road pitch in the background.
🌟 3. Who is Jess Rousseau? A Star on the Rise
Jess Rousseau has become a household name in Leeds and among fans of the FA Women’s National League. The 23-year-old striker joined Leeds United Women from Lincoln City in early 2023 and quickly made her mark. She finished the 2023/24 season with 23 goals in 24 matches, claiming the Leeds United Women’s Player of the Season award and a share of the league’s Golden Boot.
Rousseau is known for her pace, intelligent positioning, and technical flair—qualities that have led many to compare her to a young Ellen White. Her rise has been meteoric, and the engagement to Daniel James now brings her firmly into the spotlight off the pitch.
📅 4. A Timeline of Their Relationship
- April 2023: Jess and Daniel meet at a charity event in Leeds.
- June 2023: Rumors swirl as the two are seen together in Ibiza.
- September 2023: Daniel and Jess make it Instagram official.
- December 2023: The couple spends the holidays with Daniel’s family in Swansea.
- March 2024: Jess scores a brace in front of Daniel at the LNER Stadium.
- May 2024: The pair adopt a golden retriever puppy named “Leedsie.”
- June 2025: Engagement officially announced.
📣 5. Social Media Reactions: Fans and Footballers Celebrate
Football Twitter and Instagram exploded within minutes of the announcement. Here are some reactions:
- “Leeds royalty just became official 🔵⚪ Congrats Daniel and Jess!”
- “That’s the kind of transfer we love to see! 🫶”
- “From Elland Road with love—this is beautiful.”
- Ethan Ampadu: “Massive congrats to my brother Daniel & the future Mrs. Rousseau-James!”
- Beth Mead: “So happy for you both. Football love stories are my favorite ❤️⚽”
🏟️ 6. Club Reactions: Leeds United and Wales FA Respond
Both Leeds United’s men’s and women’s social media accounts released joint statements celebrating the engagement:
“Two of our brightest stars—on and off the pitch—are becoming one team forever. Congratulations Daniel and Jess! 💙🤍”
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Wales tweeted:
“Cymru’s favorite winger has scored the biggest goal of all. Best wishes from everyone at FAW!”
🎬 7. Behind the Scenes: The Proposal Planning
Sources close to Daniel James revealed he worked with a professional event planner to design a proposal that felt “authentic, personal, and meaningful.” Jess’s favorite flowers—lavender and peonies—were arranged in an arch, and acoustic renditions of their favorite songs played in the background, including Ed Sheeran’s Perfect and Coldplay’s A Sky Full of Stars.
He also gifted Jess a custom photo book titled “One Goal, One Heart”, featuring memories of their travels, matches, and quiet nights at home.
💒 8. The Wedding Date, Venue, and Theme
The wedding is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, just days after the conclusion of the European football season. The venue? Bowcliffe Hall, a Georgian country house located just outside Leeds, known for its elegant gardens and aviation-themed ballroom.
The couple is planning a “modern romantic” wedding theme, blending classic elements with subtle nods to their football careers—rumors include gold-trimmed matchday programs as invitations and table numbers named after iconic Leeds United players.
🎉 9. The Guest List: Who’s Attending the Wedding of the Year?
Though the guest list remains under wraps, early confirmations and speculations include:
- Gareth Bale (Daniel’s former Wales teammate)
- Tyler Adams and Patrick Bamford
- Laura Bartup and Olivia Smart from Leeds Women
- Marcelo Bielsa is rumored to have received a handwritten invite
- Ellie Roebuck and Lucy Bronze
- Unai Emery, now managing Daniel at Aston Villa, may attend if scheduling allows
👨👩👧 10. A Love Rooted in Football and Family
What stands out about Daniel and Jess’s relationship is their shared passion for football and commitment to family. Both come from close-knit Welsh and Yorkshire families, and both have spoken about the importance of home, roots, and supporting each other’s careers.
Daniel’s son from a previous relationship, born in 2021, will reportedly serve as the ring bearer at the wedding.
👗 11. Fashion and Festivities: What We Know About the Big Day
Jess Rousseau has already met with fashion designers in London and Paris. Rumors suggest she’s working with Jenny Packham to create a custom wedding dress that incorporates elements of her love for football—possibly with subtle embroidery of a rose and ball near the train.
Daniel, meanwhile, is expected to wear a custom navy tuxedo by Savile Row’s Richard James, with cufflinks engraved with the initials “D ❤️ J.”
⚽ 12. What This Means for Their Careers
Daniel James continues to play at a high level, recently making headlines for a potential summer transfer to Brighton or returning to Aston Villa permanently. Jess, on the other hand, is rumored to be on the radar of Championship and WSL clubs after her breakout season.
However, both have confirmed they plan to stay rooted in Yorkshire for the foreseeable future. “Leeds is home,” Jess said in a joint interview. “This is where we met, grew, and fell in love.”
🙌 13. Fans’ Perspective: The Ultimate Yorkshire Romance
Fans across Leeds and Wales are calling this engagement the “football love story of the decade.” With chants already being adapted to include both Daniel and Jess’s names, some fans have even begun designing dual jerseys: half Leeds United Men’s, half Leeds United Women’s, with the back reading: “#TeamJamesRousseau.”
🔮 14. Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Football and Love
As two rising stars in their respective leagues, Daniel and Jess are poised to become role models for the next generation of footballers. With whispers of potential brand collaborations, charity events, and even a reality documentary, their journey is just beginning.
Their shared dreams include opening a youth football academy and launching a mental health support foundation for young athletes navigating fame and pressure.
🗣️ 15. Final Words from Daniel and Jess
In a joint statement to the press, Daniel and Jess said:
“Football gave us everything—including each other. We’re excited to build a life full of love, goals, and late-night tactical debates. See you all in June!”
📸 Stay Tuned
Fans can expect exclusive behind-the-scenes content in the weeks leading up to the wedding. The couple’s hashtag, #RousseauJames2025, is already trending across platforms.
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From pitchside passion to a lifetime partnership, Daniel James and Jess Rousseau are proving that football truly is a beautiful game—especially when it brings two hearts together.