English players to have played for Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to end his association with Liverpool, moving to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.

The 26-year-old will become the seventh Englishman to represent Los Blancos in their professional era.

Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham's form at West Bromwich Albion not only earned him a place in the England setup, but also saw him become the first English player to play for Real Madrid.

Moving for around £1,000,000 - just months after Trevor Francis became British football's first million pound player - Cunningham started life brightly in the Spanish capital, winning La Liga in his first season.

Injury issues saw him miss much of his second term in Madrid, though he did return for the European Cup final, leaving two years later after loan spells with Manchester United and Sporting Gijon.

Steve McManaman

Paving the way for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool academy graduate Steve McManaman left the Anfield club for Real Madrid on a free transfer in 1999.

A wonderfully gifted footballer, McManaman had to reinvent his game at the Bernabeu as he saw more glamorous stars arrive each summer as the club accelerated its Galacticos policy.

While many British players have fallen foul of the Madridistas, McManaman quickly garnered their affections despite being forced to accept a squad role.

McManaman spent four years with Real Madrid and won the UEFA Champions League twice, scoring the second goal in the 3-0 win over Valencia in 2000.

David Beckham

Even by the standards of the Galacticos, there were few players in the early-2000s more Galactic than David Beckham. Perhaps the world's most famous footballer, Beckham's footballing abilities have at times been overlooked, but Beckham wasn't merely signed to be a posterboy for Real.

Having fallen out with Sir Alex Ferguson, a departure from Old Trafford was inevitable, with Real Madrid all too happy to acquire the midfielder's services.

Despite playing with some of the game's biggest names and best players, Beckham's time at the Bernabeu was underwhelming, winning just one league title and no cups in his four years there.

Jonathan Woodgate

When fit, Jonathan Woodgate was one of the best defenders in England, and his form for Newcastle saw him earn a move to Real Madrid. His time at Newcastle had been interrupted by injury and he'd suffer the same fate at Real Madrid.

Woodgate missed the entirety of his first season in Spain, and by the time his debut eventually rolled around, he scored an own goal and was sent off.

Though Woodgate did finally break into the first team, injuries struck again, and Woodgate left after two season at the Bernabeu, making just nine league appearances.

Michael Owen

In the midst of their Galacticos era, Real Madrid signed Michael Owen from Liverpool. While younger fans may only remember Owen post-knee injury, where he laboured through spells with Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke, but the Owen Real Madrid signed was a phenom.

Owen was Liverpool's top scorer for seven straight seasons, scoring 18, 18, 11, 16, 19, 19 and 16 goals in seven seasons for the club after breaking through as a teenager.

Unfortunately for Owen, he was behind the immovable Ronaldo and Raul in the pecking order, and though he appeared 36 times, only 20 were starts, and Owen left after a year in which he scored 13 goals.

Jude Bellingham

Based on his predecessors' successes - or lack thereof - it wasn't unreasonable to be concerned for Jude Bellingham's future following his move to Real Madrid.

The Birmingham boy had established himself as a world class midfielder at Borussia Dortmund, and while the famous white shirt of Real Madrid can suffocate players, it fit Bellingham like a glove.

Still only 21 years old, Bellingham has gone from strength to strength, initially playing a more advanced role at the Bernabeu where he scored 19 goals in his maiden campaign.

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