Americans in Premier League: All You Need To Know About U.S Representation in English Soccer
If you’re looking for information on Americans in the Premier League, you’ve come to the right place!
There are few more diverse sporting competitions in the world than the Premier League. Throughout the history of England’s top flight, 114 FIFA-affiliated nations have been represented in the Premier League.
One of the countries that have a growing presence in terms of players, and coaches at present is the United States. But, which Americans are expected to make waves in the English top flight throughout the course of the 2022-23 season?
First American Players In Premier League
Two American stars were involved in the very first Premier League season back in 1992.
Roy Wegerle played for Blackburn Rovers throughout the inaugural season, as he scored four goals in 11 appearances.
John Harkes was another U.S. star that was playing his soccer in England during the Premier League’s first-ever season. The midfielder started his career in England with Sheffield United, before he later enjoyed spells with Derby County and West Ham United.
However, some of the most famous U.S imports to the Premier League followed the first stars. That includes former Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, and Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
The highest-scoring American in the English top flight remains Clint Dempsey, who enjoyed spells with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, before returning to the MLS with Seattle Sounders.
Other notable Americans to have played in the Premier League include Tim Howard, who became the first U.S. citizen to ever play for Manchester United, and Landon Donovan, who enjoyed two loan spells at Everton.
Current American Players In The Premier League
This is a golden age for American talent, which is evident by the fact that more U.S. players are currently playing in the Premier League than in any previous season.
In total, six American internationals are currently playing in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch became the second U.S. coach to take charge of a side in England earlier this year.
Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United
Marsch has looked to back American internationals to excel in the Premier League since his appointment, which was evident during the summer transfer window, as he brought in two U.S. internationals. One of which has been one of the early contenders for the signing of the summer, as Brenden Aaronson has immediately settled into life in the English top flight.
After impressive during his season in the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg, Leeds United made their move for the 21-year-old in the summer. The signing made him the second most expensive American player in history, as it was a deal worth $30.2 million. Since signing, he has already played a big role for the Whites.
Tyler Adams – Leeds United
Another player that Marsch brought to Elland Road over the summer was Tyler Adams.
The midfielder was excellent in the MLS with New York Red Bulls, before he moved to Europe with RB Leipzig. He was a prominent player for Leipzig during his two-year stay with the German giants, as he played over 70 times in the Bundesliga.
However, Leeds United made their move for the midfielder in the summer and agreed to pay a fee of over $20 million. The move has worked out very well for the club and player to this point. He is an important member of the squad and has made the defensive midfield position his own since making his debut in a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Christian Pulisic – Chelsea
Christian Pulisic is potentially the most famous U.S. player in the world, and he made history in 2019 when he moved to Chelsea for a record fee. He became the most expensive North American player in history following his $73 million move from Borussia Dortmund, and that price tag was vindicated just over a year later as he became the first American to ever win the Champions League.
During that season, Pulisic also became the first U.S. international to score in a Champions League semi-final. Pulisic has already played over 122 times for Chelsea across all competitions. There were rumors throughout the summer that the Blues may have been willing to allow him to leave the club. But, he now looks set to be a big player following the appointment of Graham Potter.
Tim Ream – Fulham
Tim Ream has been playing in the Premier League for a long time now. The central defender got his first taste of the competitive league after joining Bolton Wanderers in 2012 from New York Red Bulls. Ream played ten times for Bolton in the second half of the 2011-12 season. However, he was helpless when it came to trying to save the club from relegation. He would remain at the club for three years, before joining Fulham for an undisclosed fee in 2015.
Since his move, the defender has played for the Cottagers on 236 occasions. One of his best seasons to date came last term, as he was an ever-present in the club’s promotion-winning campaign back to the Premier League. Ream already looks set to be a big player this season, as he has played in all fixtures to this point.
Chris Richards – Crystal Palace
U.S. international Chris Richards signed for Crystal Palace in the most recent transfer window. He is expected to be one of their main stars in the future, as Patrick Vieira has invested heavily during his stay at the club on young players. Richards has always had a big reputation, which was evident when Bayern Munich moved for the teenager back in 2019.
However, he found game time hard to come by with the Bavarians, as he played just five times across two years in the Bundesliga. But, he did enjoy promising loan spells in the German top-flight with Hoffenheim, playing 30 times across two seasons. Palace signed the defender for over $10 million in the summer window, and he has already played several times in all competitions for the Eagles.
Antonee Robinson – Fulham
Antonee Robinson is the USA’s first-choice left-back and has been playing soccer in England throughout his career. Despite being born in England, Robinson opted to play for the United States. The defender came through the ranks at Everton, before enjoying loan spells at Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. He would later sign on a permanent deal with Championship side Wigan, playing 38 times in the 2019-20 season.
Robinson saw a dream move to AC Milan breakdown in the winter window of 2020, as he failed a medical. However, Milan’s loss was certainly Fulham’s gain, as the Cottagers signed the left-back in the summer of 2020. Robinson had his first taste of Premier League action in the 2020-21 season, but Fulham was relegated back to the Championship. Still, his performances remained strong throughout the following season as the club was promoted back to the top flight. He remains a very reliable player for the Cottagers and has played every game in the Premier League this term for Marco Silva’s side.
