From Bale to Bellingham: 10 Standout British Footballers Who Made Their Mark Abroad

British footballers once rarely ventured beyond the UK, but moves to major European leagues and overseas competitions have become increasingly common. From Spain and Italy to Germany and the United States, several players have built major careers away from home.

The trend has produced a new generation of British exports who have won league titles, European trophies and individual awards outside the UK. BBC Sport highlighted 10 players whose overseas careers have stood out since the turn of the century.

At No. 10 is Kieran Trippier, whose 2019 move to Atletico Madrid gave the England defender an opportunity to revive his career in Spain. He became Atletico’s first English player in almost a century and helped the club win La Liga in the 2020-21 season before returning to England with Newcastle United.

Fikayo Tomori occupies the ninth spot after establishing himself at AC Milan. The England defender played a role in Milan’s 2021-22 Serie A title-winning campaign and was later selected in the league’s team of the season.

Jadon Sancho’s move from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old also proved significant. During his first spell in Germany, he scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 appearances, while winning the German Cup. His success helped demonstrate the opportunities available to young British players willing to move abroad early.

David Beckham’s career took him across four countries and included spells with Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He won La Liga in Spain, two MLS Cups and two Supporters’ Shields in the United States before ending his career with a Ligue 1 title in France.

Scott McTominay’s move from Manchester United to Napoli brought another British success story in Italy. The Scotland international became an important midfielder for the club, helping Napoli win Serie A during his first season. He scored 12 league goals and was named the division’s MVP.

Owen Hargreaves, who was born in Canada before moving to Bayern Munich at 16, also made his mark in Germany. He won four Bundesliga titles and several German Cups, while playing the full 120 minutes in Bayern’s 2001 Champions League final victory over Valencia.

Jude Bellingham followed Sancho’s path by leaving England as a teenager for Borussia Dortmund. After three seasons in Germany, he moved to Real Madrid for a fee worth more than £100m and immediately made an impact, scoring 23 goals in all competitions during his first season as Madrid won La Liga and the Champions League. He also finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting that year.

Harry Kane’s move from Tottenham to Bayern Munich ended his long association with the Premier League club and opened a new chapter in Germany. The England captain has set major scoring records in the Bundesliga, including reaching 100 goals faster than any player in the competition’s history, while also collecting major domestic honours.

Steve McManaman’s move from Liverpool to Real Madrid in 1999 was another landmark moment. He became the first Englishman since Laurie Cunningham to represent the Spanish giants and won two Champions League titles and two La Liga trophies during his four seasons at the Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale tops the list after a hugely successful nine-year spell at Real Madrid. The Wales international won five Champions League titles, scored three goals in Champions League finals and produced his famous overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 final. Bale scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for Madrid and later won the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield with LAFC.