The Premier League has had over 100 nations represented from it’s inception in 1992, these are some of the pioneers from so-called ‘smaller’ footballing countries.
The Premier League has truly become a worldwide phenomenon with football fans all around the world watching the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea compete every weekend.
Since the inception of the re-branding of English football’s top flight in 1992, there have been 105 countries represented by players.
There is an argument that this has damaged the England national team, but without the foreign stars the Premier League would not be as entertaining and exciting as it has been over the last 24 years. The likes of Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jurgen Klinsmann and Sergio Aguero, along with countless other individuals have provided so many memorable moments over the years, that we treasure.
Here we take a look at some of the players who have not come from ‘big’ international footballing giants such as France, Germany or Spain, but instead we glance at players who have come from countries that have relative success.
Victor Wanyama – Kenya
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama in action
The 25-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has proved to be an astute summer signing by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino last summer.
Having first moved to the Premier League in 2013, joining Southampton from Celtic, Wanyama has showcased his exceptional ability to break up play and win the ball back in vital areas of the pitch.
So far he has 42 caps to his name for Kenya, scoring four goals and is still the only player from his home country to play in the Premier League
Where are they now? – Tottenham, after a big summer move from Southampton for a reported fee of £11 million.
Paulo Wanchope – Costa Rica
Upton Park gate – West Ham
The Costa Rica international striker moved to the Premier League in 1992 when he signed for Derby County.
Wanchope spent seven of his eight years in England playing in the top flight, for Derby, West Ham United and Manchester City, scoring 50 goals in 157 league appearances.
An injury saw him miss the entire 2002-03 campaign, after helping Manchester City earn promotion back to the Premier League in the previous season.
Where are they now? – Since retiring from football, Wanchope has managed back in his home country, alongside a stint as assistant manager of Costa Rica. The former striker was employed as his nation’s full-time manager, but resigned in 2015.
Alexander Hleb – Belarus
Alexander Hleb (L) – Birmingham City in action against Andrey Arshavin – Arsenal
Hleb was largely used as a utility player during his three years at Arsenal, where he accumulated 89 Premier League matches, scoring just seven goals, before his 2008 summer transfer to Barcelona, a move that he would later state that he regrets.
His time at Arsenal was a unlucky one, as he along with his team-mates failed to lift a trophy having come so close on three occasions, as they finished runners-up in the 2005 Community Shield, the 2006 Champions League final and the 2007 League Cup final.
The Belarus international though returned to England during the 2010-11 season, when he joined Birmingham City on loan from Barcelona.
Where are they now? – The 35-year-old has re-joined BATE Borisov earlier this year and will be helping his new side try to maintain the Belarusian league title.
Marians Pahars – Latvia
Southampton fans
The Southampton legend spent seven years in the Premier League with the Saints, between 1998-2005, when they were relegated to the Championship.
Pahars is still remembered fondly amongst Saints fans and played a major part in his first four years with the club.
The forward is arguably the greatest footballer to have come from Latvia and enjoyed a career that spanned over 15 years.
Where are they now? – Pahars is now manager of Latvia, after an impressive previous spell at Skonto and will be hoping to make an impression with his country during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Manucho – Angola
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson
Manucho joined Manchester United after impressing then manager Sir Alex Ferguson during a three-week trial.
Unfortunately for the striker, he managed only one league appearance for the Red Devils, before being sent out on loan to Panathinaikos.
He then joined Hull City on loan for the second half of the 2008-09 campaign, where he managed 13 appearances, scoring two goals.
Where are they now? – After a difficult spell in England, he has since impressed in Spain and currently plays for Rayo Vallecano.
Stephane Sessegnon – Benin
Stephane Sessegnon celebrates scoring the first goal for West Brom with Rickie Lambert
Sessegnon became the first player from Benin to ever play in the Premier League, when he joined Sunderland from Paris Saint-Germain in 2011.
The 32-year-old was one of the best Sunderland players during his time at the Stadium of Light, before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2013.
Sessegnon spent seven years in England and scored 25 goals in 166 Premier League appearances before being released in the summer by West Brom.
Where are they now? – After failing to find a new club in the summer, the Benin international moved to French side Montpellier in mid-September.
Gael Bigirimana – Burundi
Newcastle United’s Gael Bigirimana looks dejected at the end of the game
Midfielder Bigirimana managed only 13 Premier League appearances during his four-year stint at Newcastle United. With all 13 of those matches during the 2012-13 season.
Bigirimana joined Newcastle from Coventry City, when he was just 18, on a five-year deal.
Still only 23-years-old, the Burundi international could well find himself back in the Premier League in the future, after being let go by the Magpies during the summer.
Where are they now? – Bigirmana has since moved back to Coventry and has already amassed the same amount of league appearances this season than he did during his time at St. James’ Park.
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