Jess Carter ‘itching’ to return to Gotham on heels of Euro tumult

Jess Carter could have been in England, participating in the celebrations following the Lionesses’ triumph in the European Women’s Championship and decompressing from what was a harrowing international tournament for the veteran defender.

Instead, she hurried back to rejoin her Gotham teammates before they resume the NWSL season Friday night against the Stars in suburban Chicago.

“I was just itching to get back. I want to be part of this team, helping this team win games,” Carter said Thursday. “I’m really happy at Gotham, and I feel really comfortable around the team and around the girls, so I just wanted to get back to this environment.”

Carter spoke out about the racial abuse she endured during the Euros, and said she would take a break from social media.

“Hopefully, speaking out will make the people writing this abuse think twice so that others won’t have to deal with it,” Carter said in a statement.

Carter had been involved in allowing both goals as Sweden took a 2-0 lead before England’s dramatic comeback in the quarterfinals. She did not start in the semifinals and played just one minute as a late substitute.

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But she made a surprise return to the starting XI for the final at center back and was instrumental in helping shut down a brilliant Spain team (including Gotham teammate Esther González) before England won on penalty kicks.

Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West said the team was in regular contact with Carter while she was abroad to share mental health resources and to let her know “there’s a strong contingent in New Jersey ready to fight on her behalf.”

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“To see her persevere and play so well in that final game and then be crowned champion with England — she’s incredibly deserving and such an important part of our team,” Averbuch West told The Post. “Seeing Jess succeed went far beyond the game, and it was such an important moment.”

Gotham last played June 21, winning a second straight match to move into eighth place in the NWSL standings, before the league took a six-week hiatus.

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Katie Stengel, a member of Gotham’s 2023 championship squad, was acquired from England’s Crystal Palace for the rest of the season, the team announced Thursday.

Also this week, Gotham agreed to a one-year contract extension with defender Bruninha that takes her through the 2027 season.