JAMES HILL’s remarkable year just keeps on giving.
The Bournemouth defender, 24, has beenfor the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain this week.
The centre back comes in for Ezri Konsa, as the Arsenal star .
In 2022, Hill moved to the Cherries from Fleetwood Town for a club record £1.2million, beating the transfer fee the club received for .
Since joining the south coast side, he has enjoyed a rapid rise.
Last season, he helped qualify for the Europa League and they’ve been tipped to win the competition this campaign.
Off the pitch, he married the love of his life, Tara in the summer. A month later, they welcomed their first child together.
Life’s been a whirlwind…
Hill comes from footballing stock.
His dad Matt played more than 550 times for clubs including Preston North End, , Sheffield United, and Queens Park Rangers in the Football League.
His younger brother Tyler Hill is on the books Torquay United in the National League South.
Despite his father’s career path, Hill said he didn’t feel pressured to follow in his footsteps.
He told The Times : “He didn’t want me to feel as though it’s a job.
“He wanted me to feel like I’m wanting to be here because I love doing it. This is my passion. It brings me happiness. He wanted me to come to that conclusion, not for him to make that decision for me.”
Making his own way
Aged 14, Hill was after impressing at a trial day.
Before that, he hadn’t played for a team until he was 10, preferring to kick a ball about with his friends at his local park, and practice his skills in the garden of his family home.
At secondary school, Hill snubbed football and played fly-half for the rugby side. He was also a keen javelin thrower.
When he was a teenager, he trialled at Blackpool, but they declined to sign him. Then, he was on the books at Bolton, until they dropped him following a short spell with the club.
What was Blackpool and Bolton’s loss was Fleetwood’s gain, who ended up making a huge profit on the young talent after handing him his professional debut at 16 against Leicester City in the in 2018.
Since signing for Bournemouth, Hill has continued to go from strength-to-strength.
This season, he has been ever-present in , as they challenge for both domestic and European trophies.
Speaking before his call up to the England squad, Hill outlined his ambitions to play for his country.
He said: “It’s every kid’s dream, isn’t it? You grow up watching the Three Lions on TV, for the World Cup, the Euros.
“It’s one of the greatest honours you can have in football.”
Happiness off the pitch
Hill could be forgiven for pinching himself for all the success he’s having on and off the pitch.
Before manifesting an , he walked down the aisle with longterm partner Tara Rushton.
Hill shared pictures from the intimate ceremony, attended by friends and family, on his .
He proudly captioned a carousel of photos: “Legally Mr & Mrs Hill as of 13.06.26.”
Two months later, they welcomed their daughter Edie.
Hill said: “Becoming a dad is one of the most special things I’ve ever experienced in my life.
“There isn’t a manual though, it’s just like, ‘Congratulations, you’ve got a baby’.
“Then the door shuts! Hang on a minute. What am I supposed to do next? Is there a book for this? My wife has been absolutely incredible.”
