British players to have played in Serie A

There is a long and storied history of British footballers moving to the continent to compete in Italy's Serie A.

Following the transfers of Scotland internationals Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour to Napoli from Manchester United and Brighton respectively, we examine the fortunes of the most high-profile British exports to have plied their trade in Italy's top flight.

England

David Beckham - Milan (2009-10)

An English footballer famous the world over, David Beckham enjoyed two fruitful spells on loan at Milan from LA Galaxy between 2009 and 2010.

Despite approaching the conclusion of his career at 33 years of age, Beckham's technical quality and impeccable fitness shone through at the San Siro, with the Englishman excelling within a star-studded squad including players of the calibre of Kaka, Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo, Paolo Maldini and Clarence Seedorf.

Milan manager at the time, the legendary Carlo Ancelotti said of Beckham: "On the pitch he sees everything before everyone else."

Trevor Francis - Sampdoria, Atalanta (1982-87)

An established England international at the time, technically gifted forward Trevor Francis transferred to Sampdoria from Manchester City for £700,000 in the summer of 1982.

Proving a hit in Serie A, Francis was part of the Sampdoria team who claimed the club's first ever Coppa Italia title in 1985, finishing as the competition's top scorer with nine goals.

After a successful four-year spell with Sampdoria, Francis spent one season with Atalanta in 1986/87 - reaching the Coppa Italia final which the Bergamo-based club lost to Diego Maradona inspired Napoli.

Paul Gascoigne - Lazio (1992-95)

One of England's most popular ever players, the gifted Paul Gascoigne made the move to Serie A with Lazio in a £5.5m transfer from Tottenham in 1992.

Although suffering from injury problems and off-the-field issues during his time in Rome, Gascoigne was still able to showcase his talents on occasion for Lazio - memorably scoring an 89th-minute equaliser in a Derby della Capitale against Roma.

Jimmy Greaves - Milan (1961-62)

The top goalscorer in the history of English league football, the great Jimmy Greaves spent a short spell in Serie A with Milan in 1961/62.

Signed from Chelsea in an £80,000 deal, Greaves was reluctant to relocate from London and never fully settled in Italy.

Despite netting nine goals in 14 appearances, including a derby goal against Inter, Greaves was quickly put up for sale after his relationship with Milan manager Nereo Rocco became strained.

Mark Hateley - Milan (1984-87)

After scoring 22 league goals for Portsmouth in the Second Division in 1983/84, towering striking Mark Hateley was snapped up by Serie A giants Milan for a fee of £1m.

Hateley proved a resounding success in Milan, inspiring the Rossoneri to a first Derby della Madonnina victory in six years with a match-winning header against Inter in October 1984.

Paul Ince - Inter (1995-97)

One of England's most recognisable players having won two Premier League titles with Manchester United and captained the national team, Paul Ince was transferred from the Red Devils to Inter for £7.5m in the summer of 1995.

Despite an indifferent start to his spell at the club, Ince would grow into an influential player for Inter, with the Nerazzurri reaching the 1997 UEFA Cup final before losing to Schalke on penalties.

David Platt - Bari, Juventus, Sampdoria (1991-95)

Starring for England at Italia '90 as the Three Lions reached the World Cup semi-finals, David Platt made a £5.5m transfer from Aston Villa to Bari in the summer of 1992.

A goalscoring midfielder, Platt was handed the number 10 shirt and captain's armband upon signing for Bari, but despite netting 11 goals in the 1991/92 season the club were relegated to Serie B.

Platt then made the move to Italian giants Juventus, picking up a UEFA Cup winners' medal with the club in 1992/93.

Sampdoria would become Platt's third Serie A club in 1993, with the former England international winning the Coppa Italia under the guidance of Sven-Goran Eriksson in his first season.

Chris Smalling - Roma (2019-24)

Initially joining on loan from Manchester United, Chris Smalling signed for Roma in an £18m permanent deal in October 2020.

Proving an inspired signing, Smalling was named player of the match as Roma overcame Feyenoord in the final of the UEFA Conference League in 2022 to clinch their first European trophy in over 60 years.

Des Walker - Sampdoria (1992-93)

One of the best English defenders of his generation, Des Walker spent one season in Serie A with Sampdoria in 1992/93.

Arriving in Italy with a big reputation as an England international, Walker's time in Serie A did not prove overly successfully, perhaps largely due to being played out of position at full-back.

After just one year at Sampdoria, Walker returned to England with Sheffield Wednesday in a £2.7m transfer.

Ray Wilkins - Milan (1984-87)

After being named Manchester United player of the year in 1983/84, Ray Wilkins was signed by Italian giants Milan for £1.5m.

Wilkins quickly established himself as a key player for the Rossoneri in the heart of midfield, with the Englishman enjoying a strong record in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter during his three years in Milan.

All other English players in Serie A:

• Tammy Abraham - Roma, Milan (2021 - )
• Charles Adcock - Padova, Triestina (1948-50)
• Joe Baker - Torino (1961-62)
• Luis Binks - Bologna (2021-22)
• Luther Blissett - Milan (1983-84)
• Jay Bothroyd - Perugia (2003-04)
• Franz Carr - Reggiana (1996-97)
• Nathaniel Chalobah - Napoli (2015-16)
• Ashley Cole - Roma (2014-15)
• Gordon Cowans - Bari (1985-86)
• Keinan Davis - Udinese (2023- )
• Danny Dichio - Lecce (1997-98)
• Paul Elliott - Pisa (1987-89)
• Ben Godfrey - Atalanta (2024- )
• Joe Hart - Torino (2016-17)
• Gerry Hitchens - Inter, Torino, Atalanta, Cagliari (1961-69)
• Samuel Iling-Junior - Juventus, Bologna (2022- )
• Paul Ince - Inter (1995-97)
• William Jordan - Juventus (1948-49)
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Milan (2023- )
• Ainsley Maitland-Niles - Roma (2021-22)
• Anthony Marchi - Vicenza, Torino (1957-59)
• Stephy Mavididi - Juventus (2018-19)
• Micah Richards - Fiorentina (2014-15)
• Paul Rideout - Bari (1985-86)
• Lee Sharpe - Sampdoria (1998-99)
• Djed Spence - Genoa (2023-24)
• Fikayo Tomori - Milan (2020- )
• Ronaldo Vieira - Sampdoria, Verona, Torino (2018-2023)
• Ben Wilmot - Udinese (2018-19)
• Harry Winks - Sampdoria (2022-23)
• Ashley Young - Inter (2019-21)

Scotland

Scott McTominay - Napoli (2024- )

An academy graduate at Manchester United, Scott McTominay became the most expensive Scottish player ever when transferring from the Red Devils to Italian side Napoli for £25.7m in the summer of 2024.

An athletic powerhouse with a keen eye for goal, Napoli manager Antonio Conte seems eager to deploy McTominay in an advanced midfield role akin to where he is utilised by Scotland national team boss Steve Clarke.

Billy Gilmour - Napoli (2024- )

McTominay was not the only Scotland international to be acquired by Napoli in the 2024 summer transfer window, with Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour also brought in for an initial fee of £12m.

A technically gifted deep-lying midfielder, Gilmour's calmness on the ball and ability to dictate possession should make him perfectly suited to Serie A.

Che Adams - Torino (2024- )

Part of an ever growing Scottish contingent in Serie A, Che Adams was snapped up by Torino following the expiry of his contract at Southampton this summer.

A complete forward with a tireless work ethic, Adams registered a goal and an assist in his home Serie A debut for Torino in a victory against reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta.

Lewis Ferguson - Bologna (2022- )

A vivid example of what a move abroad can do for young British players, Lewis Ferguson has proved a revelation in Serie A since swapping Aberdeen for Bologna in the summer of 2022.

An energetic box-to-box midfielder with the capacity to score goals and make assists, Ferguson has developed into a key player for Bologna and has even taken on the captain's armband at the club.

Joe Jordan - Milan, Verona (1981-84)

The only Scotland player ever to have scored at three World Cups - in 1974, 1978 and 1982 - Joe Jordan spent a three-year spell in Italy between 1981 and 1984.

Signing for Milan from Manchester United in 1981, Jordan scored 12 goals in 52 league games for the Rossoneri.

A popular figure thanks to his combative playing style, with the Scotsman nicknamed 'Jaws' due to having lost two front teeth early in his career, Jordan was Milan's top goalscorer in all competitions in the 1982/83 season as the club were promoted back to the top flight from Serie B.

Jordan went on to spend one season with Verona in Serie A in 1983/84, but after a less productive spell he quickly returned to British football with Southampton.

Denis Law - Torino (1961-62)

A club legend at Manchester United and the only Scotsman to have won the Ballon d'Or, earning the honour in 1964, Denis Law spent one season in Serie A with Torino in 1961/62.

Signed for a record fee for a British player of £110,000 from Manchester City, Law found it difficult to adapt to Italian football with Torino.

Although he did net 10 Serie A goals for Torino, Law did not find his experience in Italy enjoyable and quickly returned to Manchester, this time with the Red Devils who acquired him for a British transfer record of £115,000.

Graeme Souness - Sampdoria (1984-86)

An iconic figure in Scottish football history, Graeme Souness ended a decorated six-year spell with Liverpool when signing for Serie A side Sampdoria for £650,000 in 1984.

Providing experience in midfield alongside an exciting group of emerging Italian talents including Roberto Mancini, Pietro Vierchowod and Gianluca Vialli, Souness helped inspire Sampdoria to their first ever Coppa Italia title in his first season.

The Scotsman scored the only goal in a 1-0 first-leg win over Milan in the final at the San Siro, with Sampdoria prevailing 2-1 at home in the second-leg to lift the trophy.

All other Scottish players in Serie A:

• Josh Doig - Verona, Sassuolo (2022-2024, 2024 - )
• Liam Henderson - Verona, Empoli (2018 - 2020, 2021- )
• Jack Hendry - Cremonese (2022-23)
• Aaron Hickey - Bologna (2020-22)

Wales

Ethan Ampadu - Venezia, Spezia (2021-23)

Plucked from Exeter City by Chelsea as a youngster, Ethan Ampadu spent two loan spells in Serie A with Venezia and Spezia.

A technically accomplished player capable of playing at centre-back and defensive midfield, Ampadu has represented Wales at two major tournaments - the delayed Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup.

The Welshman made 30 appearances for Venezia in the 2021/22 season before playing 34 times for Spezia the following year.

John Charles - Juventus, Roma (1957-63)

Regarded as an all-time great of British football, John Charles was uniquely capable of excelling as both a striker and a centre-back.

Making his name at Leeds United, Charles joined Juventus for a then British transfer record of £65,000 in August 1957.

A sensation in Turin, Charles scored 108 goals in 155 matches across five seasons with Juve, winning three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies with the club.

Placing third in the Ballon d'Or in 1959, Charles was voted Juventus' best-ever foreign player at the club's centenary celebrations in 1997.

Charles went on to spend a less productive spell in Italy with Roma in 1962/63 before returning to Wales with Cardiff City after just one season.

Aaron Ramsey - Juventus (2019-22)

Part of a golden generation of Welsh footballing talent which inspired the country to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France, Aaron Ramsey endured a disappointing three-year spell with Juventus between 2019 and 2022.

Signed as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract with Arsenal, Ramsey was handed a lucrative deal by Juventus but struggled to make an impression in Italian football, scoring just six goals in 70 appearances in all competitions across three years at the club.

Ian Rush - Juventus (1987-88)

Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer, Ian Rush made the move to Italy with Juventus for a British record transfer fee of £3.2m in 1986.

A goalscoring phenomenon at Anfield, Rush struggled to adapt to life in Serie A against much tighter defences, scoring eight goals in 29 league appearances.

Rush's underwhelming spell in Turin lasted only one season, with the striker returning to Liverpool for £2.7m in the summer of 1988.