January 25, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Detroit City FC News Release
Detroit, Michigan – Today, Detroit City FC has announced the signing of midfielder James Murphy on a two-year contract with 2024 guaranteed and an option in place for the 2025 season. Murphy will wear #6 for Le Rouge this season.
James Murphy was born and raised in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and quickly made his name in the world of High School soccer, being named the 2013-14 Gatorade New Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year. This acclaim, along with impressing at the Players Development Academy, earned Murphy appearances for the United States U20 squad.
Murphy then signed his first professional contract, heading overseas to sign with Sheffield Wednesday in 2016, who found themselves in the English Football League Championship at the time. While at the Owls, Murphy was a regular in their developmental side and would make one appearance for the senior team, on the road to Cambridge in the League Cup.
The then 20-year-old Murphy would return to the United States to join up with Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer ahead of their inaugural season in Major League Soccer. His debut for LAFC came in a friendly against Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga.
A few months into his stint at LAFC, Murphy was loaned out to Las Vegas Lights FC of the USL Championship. Here, Murphy would make seven appearances, starting five matches in the 2018 season.
In the summer of 2019, it was announced that Murphy would be on the move once again, this time signing for Arbroath FC of the Scottish Championship. He earned himself a spot on the roster for Arbroath after impressing on a trial in pre-season matches against Hibernian and Montrose.
Then, the following summer, Murphy returned home to the United States to join Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. While playing for the Toros, he would appear in 35 matches over two seasons, starting 22.
From there, Murphy would join Monterey Bay FC for their inaugural season in the USL Championship in 2022. This season would see Murphy lead Monterey Bay FC’s squad in tackles (56), tackles won (32), and passes (1,376). He also ranked highly in interceptions (4th) and starts (4th).
2023 would be more of the same for Murphy who, once again, found himself near the top of the Monterey Bay FC rankings in key stats for his position. His contract option was declined by Monterey Bay FC at the end of the 2023 season.
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