(2018) Top 10 Englishmen playing abroad

6 min readNov 9, 2019

Note — Players on loan in foreign countries from UK based clubs were not considered for the list.

10 — Curtis Edwards — Östersunds FK (Sweden)

A rags to riches tale, Edwards joined an FK Östersunds side managed by fellow Englishman Graham Potter in 2016, after leaving Semi Pro side Spennymoor and having spells at lower league Swedish sides Thornaby and Ytterhogdals. He took to the club like a duck to water, and in 2017 he was part of the Östersund side that beat Arsenal 2–1 at the Emirates. Since then, Östersund have become famous for their English players, with Jamie Hopcutt, Jerrell Sellars and Andrew Mills all playing for the Swedish side.

9 — Adam Le Fondre — Sydney FC (Australia)

Adam Le Fondre only recently joined Sydney FC. But he’s off to a flyer. Scoring 4 goals in as many games for the A-League outfit. The former Bolton striker, who didn’t exactly have the greatest scoring record for the Trotters. Described the Syndey move as his “dream move.” Though I’m not sure the young English lad grew up dreaming of banging them in against Adelaide United, rather than say, winning the Champions League.

8 — Daniel Crowley — Willem II* (Netherlands)

*On loan at SC Cambuur — who are also Dutch

Former Arsenal midfielder Daniel Crowley is no stranger to the Netherlands. The 21 Year old had a loan spell at the incredibly named Go Ahead Eagles whilst still under contract at the Gunners, but he moved to Willem II after his contract with the London based club expired. He’s since played 16 games for the Superkruiken since 2017, and has spent this year out on loan at fellow Dutch side SC Cambuur, who play in the Eerste Divisie, Dutch Football’s second tier. Crowley is above the likes of Le Fondre due to being just 21, and having a very decent future ahead of him.

7 — Jack Price — Colorado Rapids (United States)

The first of 3 Major League Soccer players in this list, Jack Price is currently playing for Colorado Rapids in America. He joined the Rapids in January 2018 on a four year deal, after spending 8 years with Wolverhampton Wanderers, making 97 senior league appearances. A Lifelong Wolves fan, Price said he was sad to leave Wolves, but ultimately he had to for the good of his career, after falling down the pecking order at a Jorge Mendes inspired Wolves side.

6 — Ronaldo Vieira — Sampdoria (Italy)

Cristiano wasn’t the only Ronaldo who moved to Italy over the summer, England U21 International Vieira also made the switch to the nation, joining Sampdoria from Leeds United. The 20 year old, born in Guinea-Bissau, had made over 60 league appearances for the fallen giants before a move to Italy for a fee thought to be around £7m. The midfielder, who also has Portugese citizenship, is undoubtedly a hot prospect, and I think he may be returning to English shores with a Premier League side soon.

5 — Chuba Akpom — PAOK (Greece)

For a Striker, Chuba Akpom has a terrible goal return, netting on just 10 occasions from 89 games in his league career. So I’m not sure why he’s at number 5, but we’ll just roll with it. The London born forward is already off the mark for the Thessaloniki based side however. Just how many more goals will follow is yet to be seen however, as the ex-Arsenal man has only played 4 times for his new club, and all of those were off of the bench. So, to recap, he’s a bit crap at scoring, but I’m sure he’s a lovely bloke.

4. Ravel Morrison — Lazio (Italy)

Ravel Morrison was once predicted to be one of Football’s all time greats. But instead, he’s been out of favour at Lazio for 3 years spent last season on loan in Mexico. A far cry from the world domination expected of him. The playmaker broke through the academy at the same time as Lingard and Pogba, and was thought to have been the best of the three, and if you’re measuring dance skills, you’re probably correct, but in footballing ability terms he’s a mile off. Still a fairly decent player though. But I doubt he’ll have Sergej Milinkovic-Savic quaking in his boots about replacing him. At 25 the midfielder surely has a few years left in him, but he’ll forever be known as a could’ve been.

3 — Bradley Wright-Phillips — New York Red Bulls (United States)

Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored over 100 goals for New York Red Bulls. Despite not making it far out of League One when playing in England. Some consider Shaun Wright Phillips’ younger brother to be the best NYRB player of all time, which really shows how prestigious the MLS is. Joking aside, He’s made a great career for himself in the States, way better than he could ever have hoped for if he stayed put in England, and become a legend at the club named New York Red Bulls who actually play in New Jersey. So he comes in third in the list

2 — Jadon Sancho — Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

What is there to say about Sancho that hasn’t been said already. The poster boy for Brits moving abroad, Jadon is killing it in Germany, being the top assist maker in the Bundesliga this season, aged just 18. There’s truly no doubt that this kid has potential to be special. And Man City letting the kid go for just £8m last year is looking to be an awful decision from the Champions, who are missing out on an incredible homegrown talent. Though I wouldn’t have a number 2 entry if he stayed in Manchester, so cheers, lads.

1 — Wayne Rooney — DC United (United States)

Mr. English Football himself, there’s no way Wayne Rooney can’t top this list, even if he is partly only here because I don’t want Jadon Sancho topping 2 lists in a row. The Shrek looking striker is an England legend, being the record scorer for both Manchester United & The Three Lions. Now aged 33, he’s making a mockery of MLS defences, firing a struggling DC United side (who didn’t actually ‘Unite’ from anyone, except a bunch of lads looking for a pay day) into the MLS Play offs in style, showing everyone he’s still got it.