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The movement of players from the English Premier League to the Major League Soccer is tangible, with Thierry Henry, David Beckham and now maybe even Frank Lampard headed there. Although the said players may not have left from English Premier League clubs but they have represented them at some point in time, and were or are the talismans of their respective outfits. Today, we take a look at citizens of the United States of America who have made a name for themselves in England. The following list is not exhaustive, and includes only noteworthy players.
Clinton Drew “Clint” Dempsey
His finish last night against Manchester United earned the Spurs a much deserved point, and he showed his potential is still under wraps. He currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur, post his move from Fulham, and the United States national team. He is only the second American, after Brian McBride, to score goals in multiple World Cup tournaments.
In the year of 2004, Clint Dempsey was selected by Major League Soccer outfit New England Revolution. Here he found his scoring boots pretty quickly, accumulating 25 goals in 71 appearances, even after an injury during his time there. Between the year 2007 and 2012, Clint Dempsey represented the Premier League team Fulham. He found a comfort zone with the outfit, scoring 50 goals from 184 appearances.
Dempsey also accomplished the feat of becoming the first ever American player to manage a hat-trick in the EPL, when he netted three against Newcastle United in 2012 and Fulham won 5–2. His career total of 93 goals has come in 336 appearances for New England, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, in that order.
Landon Timothy Donovan
Landon Donovan, currently playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy, has had his fair share of fame with Everton. His usual position is of a supporting striker, also called a withdrawn forward, where he also doubles up as an attacking midfielder on either wing.
Donovan has been continuously moving over the last decade. Having joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005, he found his way back to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for a short spell on loan in 2009. He went on loan again from January to March 2010 to English Premier League side Everton, where he scored twice in ten appearances. He rejoined the Toffees in 2011, for a short spell. His career total of 160 goals has come from 368 appearances, spread over three countries.
Bradley Howard “Brad” Friedel
Bradley Friedel plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. On 6 May 2012, he accomplished the record of becoming the oldest player to appear for Tottenham Hotspur in the EPL and broke Jimmy Cantrell’s record, which had stood for close to 80 years.
He is also the current holder of the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310, which he achieved at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur combined. He is also officially Aston Villa’s oldest ever player. At 41 years, he is the oldest player in the league currently. He is also the third most capped player for his nation.
Timothy Matthew “Tim” Howard
Tim Howard plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team. He started his career with the North Jersey Imperials in the MLS, before a shift to the Metro Stars. His ability between the sticks found admiration from Manchester United, who bought him in 2003. With the Red Devils, he won the 2003 FA Community Shield, the 2003–04 FA Cup and the 2005–06 League Cup. United then signed Edvin Van der Sar, and the Dutchman quickly took over the reins at the club. Howard, often relegated to the bench, called it quits to join Everton, where he has since found his groove.
Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna is the current United States Soccer Federation Youth Soccer Technical Director and is considered one of the greatest midfielders from the United States of America. He represented Manchester City and Sunderland during his time in England and scored 8 goals. His tally stands at 27 goals from 323 appearances. He spent 6 years in England, from 2001 through 2007, and didn’t see much glory. He has also donned the colours of Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, Rangers and New York Red Bulls, where he finally called it a day.
