British players in the MLS

Since the founding of Major League Soccer in 1996, a number of esteemed British footballers have plied their trade stateside.

The transfer of former England captain David Beckham from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy in 2007 represented a seminal moment for the MLS, with Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard amongst the other notable Brits to have showcased their talents in the United States.

We take a look at the British players currently on the books of MLS clubs.

Western Conference

Colorado Rapids

Calvin Harris

No, not that Calvin Harris.

Born in Middlesbrough to an ex-professional footballer father Terry, formerly of Sheffield United, Calvin Harris moved to Hong Kong at the age of 10.

A promising young footballer, Harris was granted a scholarship to join the youth academy of New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix, where he was eventually spotted by MLS side FC Cincinnati in 2021.

An attacking player capable of playing out wide or through the middle, Harris spent two years at FC Cincinnati before being traded to Western Conference side Colorado Rapids in 2023.

Minnesota United

Samuel Shashoua

Born in Chelsea, London, Samuel Shashoua came through the youth academy at Tottenham Hotspur.

Loaned out by Spurs to Segunda Division B side Atletico Baleares in 2018, attacking midfielder Shashoua was snapped up by fellow Spanish outfit Tenerife a year later.

Of Venezuelan and Spanish descent, Shashoua would go on to spend another loan spell at Atletico Baleares before landing a move to Albacete in 2023.

From Albacete Shashoua opted to make a life-changing switch to the MLS with Minnesota United in the summer of 2024.

Real Salt Lake

Matt Crooks

Born in Leeds, Matt Crooks spent time at both Manchester United and Huddersfield Town during his youth career.

It was ultimately at League Two Accrington Stanley where Crooks would make his name in the professional game, however, with his powerful midfield displays tempting Glasgow giants Rangers into making a move in 2016.

Crooks would last just one year at Ibrox before returning to English football on loan at Scunthorpe.

Spells at Northampton Town, Rotherham and Middlesbrough followed before Crooks moved Stateside with Real Salt Lake in February 2024.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Ryan Gauld

Regarded as one of Scottish football's brightest young talents when emerging at Dundee United in 2012, Ryan Gauld earned an eye-catching £3m move to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in 2014.

Although the technically gifted attacking midfielder was unable to make the grade at Sporting, Gauld would acquire valuable experience in Portuguese football, eventually finding a home at Farense in the Algarve region.

Named Player of the Season in Liga Portugal 2 as Farense were promoted to the Primeira Liga in 2019/20, Gauld played one season in the Primeira Liga before being picked up by MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps on a free transfer in 2021.

Gauld's career has gone from strength to strength in Canada, earning Vancouver Whitecaps' Player of the Year award in three consecutive seasons and becoming club captain.

In September 2024, Gauld made his long awaited senior international debut for Scotland against Poland in the UEFA Nations League at Hampden Park.

Stuart Armstrong

Formerly a teammate of Gauld at Dundee United, Scotland international midfielder Stuart Armstrong has reunited with the diminutive playmaker in the MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps.

Previously a consistent performer for both Celtic and Southampton, Armstrong opted to make the move to the MLS as a free agent in the summer of 2024.

A creative midfielder with an eye for goal, Armstrong recently surpassed the 50-cap mark for Scotland in an international friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden Park in March 2024.

Eastern Conference

Charlotte FC

Ashley Westwood

Previously a long-term servant at both Aston Villa and Burnley, Ashley Westwood swapped English football for the MLS in January 2023 by signing for Charlotte FC.

A deep-lying midfielder adept at controlling the tempo of matches, Westwood made a total of 286 Premier League appearances between 2012 and 2022.

Nathan Byrne

Part of a trio of English players on the books of Charlotte FC, wing-back Nathan Byrne arrived in the MLS in 2022 following a two-year spell at Derby.

Coming through the youth ranks at Tottenham without making a senior appearance with the North London club, Byrne signed for Swindon Town in 2012 after a series of loan moves.

A well-rounded and versatile player, Byrne's longest attachment with a club during his professional career was with Wigan between 2016 and 2020.

Tyger Smalls

Forward Tyger Smalls completes the trio of Englishmen currently on the books of Charlotte FC.

Initially playing youth football in the academies of Norwich City and Tottenham, Smalls would spend a number of years in the English lower leagues before being snapped up by MLS outfit Charlotte FC in February 2024.

Chicago Fire

Laurence Wootton

Born in Halstead, Essex, midfielder Laurence Wootton spent time in the academies of Stoke City and Cardiff City before electing to play college soccer at Ohio State University.

Wootton was eventually drafted into the MLS by Chicago Fire in 2024 and immediately sent out on loan to Indy Eleven in the USL Championship.

Nashville SC

Sam Surridge

Previously on the books of a plethora of English clubs including Bournemouth, Swansea, Stoke City and Nottingham Forest, Surridge opted to change track in his career by moving to the MLS with Nashville SC in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around £5m.

A former England Under 21s striker, the signing of Surridge represented a coup for the Coyotes and the Englishman has proven a hit in front of goal in the MLS.

New York City FC

Christian McFarlane

Although born in Essex, Christian McFarlane moved to the United States at the age of three.

A talented left-back, McFarlane has broken into the first team at New York City FC at a young age and has represented both England and the United States at youth international level.

New York Red Bulls

Lewis Morgan

A third Scotland international currently showcasing his talents in the MLS, Lewis Morgan has been a standout player in the top flight of US soccer since transferring from Celtic to David Beckham franchise Inter Miami in 2020.

An impressive performer in Miami, Morgan's game has gone to a new level since signing for the New York Red Bulls in 2022 and the winger earned a place in Scotland's final squad for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany.

Toronto FC

Matty Longstaff

Famously scoring on his Premier League debut for Newcastle in 1-0 win over Manchester United in October 2019, central midfielder Matty Longstaff was unable to establish himself in the Magpies' first team squad.

Following a series of loan moves, Longstaff has ended up in the MLS with Tortonto FC where he is a regular starter.