James Penrice, native of Scotland and born on 22 December 1998, is a testament to the defensive vitality of Scottish football. A left back of considerable repute, Penrice plies his trade for Hearts, standing at a solid 5ft 10in (1.78m) and tipping the scales at 11st 6lb (73kg). The number 29 on his jersey has become synonymous with sturdy defending and excellent positional awareness. His footballing abilities and marketability have seen his current market value surge to a commendable £1m, as affirmed by Transfermarkt. His contract with Hearts is set to expire on 31 May 2027, after a tenure of 2 years and 2 months.
Penrice's career trajectory has been a gradual climb, having joined Partick Thistle in the Scottish Championship in July 2015. Despite his limited exposure in his debut season with Partick Thistle, and again in season 2017 - 2018 where he made just two first team appearances in league matches each time, he was undeterred and resolute in his pursuit of regular football. This was to come in the form of a loan to East Fife in Scotland's League Two in December 2016, where he made a substantial 18 appearances.
Upon his return to Partick Thistle in June 2017, Penrice was again to find his opportunities limited. Here, he replicated his previous tally of two first team appearances in league matches. Eager to build upon his stint at East Fife, another loan move beckoned, and in August 2017 Penrice transferred to Livingston, then in the Championship. During his tenure at Livingston, Penrice managed 13 appearances and scored one goal in his initial season. This period of loan would prove instrumental in his development, as he gradually established himself as a first-team regular in subsequent seasons.
Despite the subsequent return to Partick Thistle in January 2018, Penrice's stay would be fleeting. His performances at Livingston had not gone unnoticed, and he made a permanent move to the club in July 2021. In the ensuing years, he became a linchpin in the Livingston defence, amassing considerable appearances and even chipping in with the occasional goal.
It wasn't until July 2024 that Penrice would take on a new challenge, transferring to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. To date in the current season, Penrice has made 30 first-team league appearances, bagged two goals and demonstrated his importance in the team by participating in the League Cup, Scottish Cup and the Europa League Qualifiers. In addition, he also featured in the Conference League, further underscoring his reliability and commitment to the cause.
