From shot-stopping legends to relentless wingers to sharpshooters (and not the gun totting ones) , American exports have quietly — and sometimes spectacularly — left their mark on the Premier League with many punching above their weight in the Premier League for over two decades. In honour of July 4th, we’re celebrating the best Yanks to grace English soil, with hard data on appearances, goals, clean sheets, and more. 🇺🇸⚽
1. Brad Friedel (GK)
Clubs: Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Tottenham
Premier League Appearances: 450
Clean Sheets: 132
Notable Stat: 310 consecutive starts – the longest streak in PL history for any player, outfield or goalkeeper.
Legacy: The ironman. Friedel was a model of consistency and longevity. Only Gareth Barry and Ryan Giggs have more PL appearances.
The Iron Wall
Friedel was more than dependable, he was ever-present, what a record, 310 consecutive starts, that’s just over 8 seasons……seasons! After breaking through at Liverpool, he found his groove at Blackburn and Aston Villa, becoming one of the most consistent keepers of his era. His 450 appearances rank him among the Premier League’s all-time greats, not just American ones. At age 42, he was still starting for Spurs, an incredible testament to his conditioning and professionalism. His shot-stopping was world-class, but his leadership was just as valuable.
2. Tim Howard (GK)
Clubs: Manchester United, Everton
Premier League Appearances: 399
Clean Sheets: 132
Goals: 1 (yes, really,from a wind-assisted punt vs Bolton in 2012)
Notable Stat: Holds the record for most PL appearances by an American at one club (Everton – 354).
Legacy: A cult hero at Goodison Park. That goal against Bolton from a 100-yard clearance? Icy.
The Toffee Tower
Tim Howard’s Manchester United stint was short-lived, but his Everton career was iconic. Across 10 seasons, Howard was Everton’s last line of defence, playing under Moyes and Martinez in European runs and top-six pushes. Tim Howard set the record for most saves in a single match at a World Cup with 16 against Belgium, anyone remember that? And the Meme, here watch the video. He’s tied with Friedel for clean sheets among Americans (132), but his goal, a freak long clearance, added cult status. Howard was more than stats though; he was vocal, fearless, and utterly reliable, becoming one of the league’s most beloved goalkeepers.
3. Clint Dempsey (MID/FWD)
Clubs: Fulham, Tottenham
Premier League Appearances: 218
Goals: 57
Assists: 17
Notable Stat: Most PL goals by an American.
Legacy: The Texan baller who could do it all, headers, volleys, long-rangers. In 2011-12, he bagged 17 goals in a single PL season. Elite.
Deuce the Destroyer
Clint Dempsey brought swagger and scoring to the Premier League. His 57-goal tally makes him the highest-scoring American in EPL history, including 17 in a single season (2011–12), when he outscored Wayne Rooney and Sergio Agüero – Yeah not a bad season that. Dempsey was Fulham’s talisman in their peak years, offering technical skill, late runs into the box, and a knack for the spectacular. His brief stint at Spurs didn’t reach those heights, but his legacy as America’s greatest PL attacker is unquestioned.
4. Brian McBride (FWD)
Clubs: Everton (loan), Fulham
Premier League Appearances: 148
Goals: 36
Assists: 7
Notable Stat: Scored in each of his first two games for Fulham. (sorry best we had here)
Legacy: Fulham’s “Captain America” before Dempsey stole the headlines. Hard-working, aerially dominant, and a leader.
Captain America Before It Was Cool
McBride was a traditional number nine with grit, aerial dominance, and a team-first mentality. His goals may not have come in bunches, but they often came when it mattered — especially for Fulham during their Premier League stabilisation. Named club captain, he embodied the old-school centre forward role. Always dangerous in the air and ruthless inside the box, McBride helped define Fulham’s American era alongside Bocanegra and later Dempsey. There’s a lot of Fulham in this list, its not because I am a fan but a shitload of Americans have played for The Cottagers down the years, because of this man.
5. Christian Pulisic (MID/FWD)
Clubs: Chelsea
Premier League Appearances: 87
Goals: 20
Assists: 9
Notable Stat: Hat-trick vs Burnley at age 21. Youngest Chelsea player to score a PL hat-trick (21y 38d).
Legacy: Injuries hampered his rise, but Pulisic still delivered big moments, especially in Chelsea’s 2019–20 run. Currently rebuilding at AC Milan.
Captain America 2.0
The first American to sign for a true “Big Six” side, Pulisic joined Chelsea with sky-high expectations. His pace, dribbling, and directness were on full display during his debut season, especially that hat-trick at Burnley and his devastating post-COVID form in 2020. Injuries and managerial changes hampered consistency, but he still lifted the UEFA Champions League and chipped in with vital goals. Now thriving in Milan, Pulisic remains the global face of U.S. football.
6. Kasey Keller (GK)
Clubs: Leicester, Tottenham, Southampton, Fulham
Premier League Appearances: 201
Clean Sheets: 53
Notable Stat: Kept 14 clean sheets in the 1997–98 season for Leicester.
Legacy: The trailblazer. First American to be a regular starter in goal for a PL club. Helped pave the way for Friedel and Howard.
The Original Glove
Before Howard and Friedel, there was Keller. As the first American goalkeeper to regularly start in the Premier League, Keller blazed the trail. He was key to Leicester’s 90s survival under Martin O’Neill and provided steady hands at Spurs in a transitional era. While not as flashy as others on this list, his longevity, professionalism, and influence on younger American keepers make him a foundational figure in U.S. soccer history.
7. Antonee Robinson (DEF)
Clubs: Fulham
Premier League Appearances: 89 (as of July 2025)
Clean Sheets: 22
Assists: 6
Notable Stat: Led Fulham in tackles and interceptions in both 22/23 and 23/24
Legacy: Still writing his story, but already the most influential American full-back in PL history. Tenacious, tireless, and tactically sharp.
The Modern Full-Back
“Jedi” Robinson is the modern archetype of a Premier League full-back: rapid, aggressive, and tactically intelligent. His attacking overlaps and defensive recovery speed have made him vital to Fulham’s Premier League survival in recent years. Consistently among the top in tackles and interceptions for his team, Robinson is proof that the U.S. now exports defenders with both skill and stamina. Still only 27, his best years could yet be ahead.
8. Tim Ream (DEF)
Clubs: Bolton, Fulham
Premier League Appearances: 90+
Clean Sheets: 24
Notable Stat: Still starting Premier League matches at age 36.
Legacy: Underrated longevity merchant. Versatile and composed on the ball, Ream has been a rock for Fulham’s survival bids.
The Veteran Leader
Ream may not grab headlines, but his quiet leadership and ball-playing ability have been vital to Fulham’s style under Marco Silva. Initially written off after earlier relegations, Ream reinvented himself and was central to Fulham’s 2022–23 resurgence. His calmness in possession and experience have helped guide younger teammates like Robinson. A true example of resilience and adaptability, Ream’s late-career renaissance has been one of the PL’s understated joys. Ok Maybe this is a biased one so I’ll stick in another at 8
8. (Again) – Brad Guzan (GK)
Clubs: Aston Villa, Middlesbrough
Premier League Appearances: 154
Clean Sheets: 34
Notable Stat: Named Aston Villa Player of the Season in 2012–13.
Legacy: A steady, underrated stopper who stood tall during Villa’s toughest years.
The Shot-Stopper in Chaos
Brad Guzan may have spent much of his Premier League career behind struggling defences, but he still managed to leave a mark. Another keeper on the list, America & Ireland have something in common, we make an awful lot of fairly handy keepers, any guesses why? After initially playing backup to Friedel at Villa, he earned the No.1 shirt and was named Aston Villa’s Player of the Season in 2012–13. Known for his reflexes and penalty-saving ability, Guzan was often the difference between heavy defeats and narrow ones during turbulent seasons. While his stint at Middlesbrough ended in relegation, his resilience and shot-stopping in high-pressure games earned him respect across the league.
9. Landon Donovan (FWD/MID)
Clubs: Everton (two loan spells)
Premier League Appearances: 17
Goals: 2
Assists: 6
Notable Stat: 6 assists in just 13 games in his first loan spell.
Legacy: Short but brilliant. Injected creativity and energy into Moyes’ Everton side. Evertonians still chant his name.
The Flash Flame
Donovan only played two short loan spells at Everton, but left a major impression. In his first stint, he racked up 6 assists in 13 games and was even named the club’s Player of the Month. His energy, vision, and off-the-ball movement gave Moyes’ Everton a new dynamic. Though he never made a permanent move, Evertonians still speak glowingly of his impact. A classic “what if” — had he stayed, Donovan might have become an all-time Premier League assist merchant.
10. Geoff Cameron (DEF/MID)
Clubs: Stoke City
Premier League Appearances: 168
Goals: 2
Assists: 6
Notable Stat: Averaged over 30 appearances per season in 5-year stretch.
Legacy: Mr. Reliable. A crucial cog in Tony Pulis’s defensive Stoke machine. Underrated positional versatility.
The Quiet Utility Man
Cameron was Mr. Versatile for Stoke, playing at right-back, centre-back, and even as a holding midfielder under Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes. Never flashy, always solid, Cameron was part of the Stoke sides that punched well above their weight, including famous wins over top-six teams. A 6/10 every week — and sometimes that’s all you need. He was instrumental in Stoke’s sustained PL stay during their most competitive years.
Honorable Mentions
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Brad Guzan (GK) – 144 appearances, 34 clean sheets, most notably for Aston Villa.
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Carlos Bocanegra (DEF) – 61 appearances, 8 goals — excellent return for a defender.
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Jonathan Spector – A flexible squad player for West Ham and Birmingham.
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Roy Wegerle, Joe-Max Moore – Pioneers of the early PL era.
Final Word 🇺🇸
From Friedel’s unmatched durability to Dempsey’s killer instinct, and Pulisic’s technical flair to Ream’s quiet grit, America’s football footprint on the Premier League is deeper than many think.
Own your team like Friedel owned his box. Pick players like Dempsey picked his moments. Play the Statr way.
These aren’t just players, they’re pioneers, workhorses, and, in some cases, legends.
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