British Premier League Players who have Played Abroad

Summer is an exciting time in the football world with much to-ing and fro-ing of players within the English Premier League clubs. So, it is a rarity to see a British player transferred to a foreign club such as England International goalkeeper Scott Carson who is about to join Bursaspor of Turkey from West Bromwich Albion or Michael Mancienne who has joined Hamburg from Chelsea. We have a look at other Premiership players who have been tempted to ply their trade abroad - whether successful or not.

David Beckham (Real Madrid 2003-07, AC Milan 2009,2010, LA Galaxy 2007 - )

Mark Pembridge (Benfica 1998-1999)

Paul Ince (Inter Milan 1995-97)

Efan Ekoku (Grasshoppers 1999-2001)

Scott Minto (Benfica 1997-99)

Dalian Atkinson (Real Sociedad 1990-91, Fenerbache 1995-96)

David Platt (Juventus 1992-93, Sampdoria 1993-95)

Steve McManaman (Real Madrid 1999-2003)

Dean Saunders (Galatasaray 1995-96, Benfica 1998-99)

Gary Charles (Benfica 1999)

Robbie Keane (Inter Milan 2000-2001)

Steve Harkness (Benfica 1999)

Chris Bart-Williams (APOEL 2204-05, Marsaxlokk 2005-06)

Des Walker (Sampdoria 1992-93)

Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos 2009 - )

Michael Owen (Real Madrid 2004-05)

Jonathan Woodgate (Real Madrid 2004-07)

Darren Huckerby (San Jose Earthquakes 2008-09)

Brian Deane (Benfica 1998, Perth Glory 2005)

Jay Bothroyd (Perugia 2004-2005)

Jermaine Pennant (Real Zaragoza 2009-10)
Robbie Fowler (North Queensland Fury 2009-10, Perth Glory 2010-11)

Darius Vassell (Ankaragucu 2009-10)

Ian Harte (Levante 2004-07)

Steve Finnan (Espanyol 2008-09)

The following players were all loaned out to Royal Antwerp in Belgium as part of Manchester United's long standing relationship with the club 

John O'Shea (2001)

Ryan Shawcross (2007)

Frazier Campbell (2006-07)

Danny Simpson (2006-07)

Jonny Evans (2006)

Darron Gibson (2006-07)

Danny Higginbotham (1998-99)

Ronny Wallwork (1999)

As you can see from the list, Royal Antwerp players aside, there are not many players who have played outside of England. This list would also be shorter if Graeme Souness hadn't been appointed manager of Benfica in 1998 as he brought 6 players with him from the Premier League (Harkness, Minto, Deane, Charles, Pembridge and Saunders.

Also only 3 of the players on the list actually carved out a decent career abroad. David Beckham, Steve McManaman and David Platt all of which would have been successful in any league as they are world class players.

So, the question is "Why are there so few Premier League players that have played abroad?", the answer is simple - Money! Wages in the Premier League have rocketed over the last 10 years or so to the point where an average squad player can still command £20k a week at a mid-table Premier League club. The only teams on the Continent which can or will pay wages similar to what players get in the English Premier League are the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid etc and lets face it not many current UK players would get in their teams anyway hence they tend to say put.

Visit my site http://www.premierleagueheroes.co.uk/ for information, statistics and video on all of your favourite Ex English Premier League players.

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