The ten best players from across the pond to grace the Premier League.
10. John Harkes – Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest
The midfielder is a National Soccer Hall of Famer in the States, and also holds the distinctive honour of being the first American to play in the Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday. He made three trips to Wembley with Wednesday, winning one League Cup, before going on to represent Derby, West Ham and Forest in between trips back home.
9. Marcus Hahnemann – Reading, Wolverhampton Wanderers
It’s not often that a player makes such a late debut to the top flight and becomes instantly popular, but the American international’s performances helped keep the Royals in the Premier League during their debut season. After eight years there he joined Wolves for a two year spell before returning home with Seattle.
8. Joe-Max Moore – Everton
Joe-Max Moore left MLS and the New England Revolution towards the end of 1999 for Everton. The English club paid $50,000 to MLS for his contract.
The tricky forward spent three years with the Toffees where he cut a popular figure. He became an instant cult hero when he netted in his first five consecutive appearances for the club.
7. Landon Donovan – Everton x 2
Arguably the most talented American player of his generation spent two separate loan spells with the Toffees during the MLS off season, and he surprised everyone by showing that he could be a hit at the top level. Donovan famously failed to cut it in the Bundesliga at the beginning of his career, but proved a popular figure at Goodison Park, but couldn’t be convinced to sign on permanently.
6. Brian McBride – Everton, Fulham
He became another Yank to turn out for Everton when he first moved to England back in 2003, but a year later Fulham pounced to bring him to Craven Cottage where he went on to become a reliable on popular goalscorer, bagging 33 goals in 140 appearances over a four year stint.
5. Kasey Keller – Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Fulham
Was a regular fixture in a talented Leicester side for three years, which included leading the Foxes to League Cup triumph in 1997 under Martin O’neill. One of a first in a new wave of American ‘keepers that shone in the top flight, Keller returned to England in 2001 to play for Spurs and spent two years as No.1 before Paul Robinson replaced him between the sticks.
4. Claudio Reyna – Sunderland, Manchester City
Reyna is often regarded as the greatest player that the United States has ever produced, but thanks to a series of persistent knee injuries prevented fans from seeing what he was truly capable off. However, he still cut an immensely popular figure at Eastlands over a five year spell before returning to Major League Soccer in 2007.
3. Tim Howard – Manchester United, Everton
The current US number one began life in the Premier League uneasily as he was just one in a long line of unsuccessful replacements for Peter Schmeichel. However, upon leaving Old Trafford he moved on to Goodison Park where he has established himself as one of the top flight’s most consistent goalkeepers.
2. Clint Dempsey – Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur
Dempsey didn’t quite live up to the hype during his one year spell at White Heart Lane, but he was an undoubted outstanding performer over a five-year stretch with Fulham. Often playing across many positions in the Cottagers front line he notched up 60 goals in 225 appearances, and played a key role in the club’s march to the Europa League final.
1. Brad Friedel – Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur
One of a very few select players to have made over 400 appearances in the Premier League over a 17-year stretch. One of the most consistent goalkeepers in Premier League history and has picked up one League Cup winners medal from his time at Blackburn, as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2003. Still going at 42 years young for Spurs.