England has often been one of football’s most attractive destinations, particularly in the Premier League era. But while plenty of foreign superstars have made a home on these shores, numerous British sensations have headed in the opposite direction. Here are the finest of them, ranked solely by their contributions overseas...
30 BRADLEY WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
After productive spells in League One and the Championship, Wright-Phillips joined New York Red Bulls in 2013. By the time he retired in 2021, the striker had scored 117 goals in MLS (including eight for LAFC and one for Columbus Crew), making him one of the top marksmen in the league’s history.
29 TAMMY ABRAHAM
Roma forked out £34m for the Chelsea striker in the summer of 2021 – he then struck 27 goals in all competitions in his first Giallorossi campaign, winning the Europa Conference League. His second was less successful, but still yielded 14 Europa League appearances as the Italians lost out to Sevilla in the final.
28 ASHLEY YOUNG
Inter bought Young in January 2020 and he soon became a regular under Antonio Conte, who employed the ex-Manchester United man at wing-back. Inter were runners-up to Villarreal in the Europa League that season, followed by the then 35-year-old winning Serie A in his only full campaign at San Siro.
27 CHRIS SMALLING
After slipping down the Manchester United pecking order, Smalling joined Roma in 2019. His initial loan made permanent, Smalling revived his career at the Stadio Olimpico and proved an influential part of the team that won the 2021-22 Europa Conference League under Jose Mourinho, his old United gaffer.
26 RAY WILKINS
Manchester United midfielder Wilkins joined Milan in 1984 in an era when the Rossoneri sought to re-establish themselves among the Serie A elite, reaching the 1985 Coppa Italia Final. ‘Butch’ later had a brief PSG spell. “You were special, a gentleman,” said the great Franco Baresi after Wilkins’ 2018 death.
25 PAUL GASCOIGNE
“I’m pleased for Paul, but it’s like watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your new car,” said Spurs supremo Terry Venables when Gascoigne signed for Lazio. Gazza’s time in Serie A was mixed, but he showed flashes of his remarkable quality and was wholeheartedly embraced by Eagles ultras.
24 STEVE ARCHIBALD
Signed by Terry Venables’ Barcelona in 1984, Archibald scored 15 league goals as the club ended an 11-year title drought in his maiden season. The Scot started the 1986
