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James Chester has had a lengthy career, having risen through the Manchester United academy back in 2007, starting off his 18-year playing career.
The former Wales international had loan spells with the likes of Peterborough, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United whilst with The Red Devils, gaining vital match experience away from Old Trafford.
However, in 2011, United sold Chester to Hull City, having only made one senior appearance, coming against Derby County in the League Cup Semi-Final second leg where United won 4-2.
Moving to Hull saw the centre-back become a vital part of the Championship side, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2013..
With 171 appearances for Hull City, even grabbing nine goals and three assists, Chester moved on to West Bromwich Albion in 2015 for £8.5 million before moving to Aston Villa a year later for a reduced fee of £7 million after only 19 games.
The former defender stayed at Villa Park for four years, making 126 appearances with 11 goals before going on loan to Stoke City for the final half of the 2019/20 season before moving to Stoke permanently on a free transfer when his loan spell ended.
This move sparked the first of several free transfers as he bounced around from Stoke to Derby to Barrow to Salford, with the 36-year-old hanging up his boots back in February 2025.
Now however, Manchester Evening News has reported that a homecoming is in order for the United academy graduate, as James Chester is gathering experience at Carrington to start off a career in coaching.
It’s understood that Chester is currently working with the Red Devils’ academy to build up experience of coaching, primarily working with the Under-15s and Under-16 age groups.
The report explains that the position at this time is a voluntary one, being done purely for experience rather than being paid by the club as the former Wales international is currently studying for his UEFA B Licence.
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