10 most expensive Scottish players of all time

A famously passionate football nation, Scotland have produced many a top class player over the years - from Kenny Dalglish to Andy Robertson.

In a modern game which involves ever-increasing transfer fees, Scottish players have been sold for substantial prices in recent times.

We take a look through the record books at the top 10 most expensive Scottish players of all time.

10) Billy Gilmour - €14m

Brighton -> Napoli (2024)

Bursting onto the scene with a series of inspired displays for Chelsea under Frank Lampard in the 2019/20 season, Billy Gilmour was named man of the match on his full Blues debut in an FA Cup tie against Liverpool and again on his Premier League debut against Everton.

Recognised at an early age rising through the ranks at Rangers as one of the most talented young Scottish players in quite some time, the technically gifted playmaker has emerged as one of the national team's most pivotal players under Steve Clarke.

After a two-year stay at Brighton during which he became a regular in midfield, Gilmour earned a lifechanging move to Serie A outfit Napoli in the summer of 2024.

9) Nathan Patterson - €14m

Rangers -> Everton (2022)

A former teammate of Gilmour in the Rangers academy, Nathan Patterson was able to make a big impression in the Gers first team under Steven Gerrard after breaking through in the club's Invincible 2020/21 campaign.

Unable to oust club captain James Tavernier as Rangers' first choice right-back, Patterson was snapped up by Premier League side Everton in January 2022.

Patterson's development at the Toffees has been stunted by a raft of injuries but there is still an expectation that the attack-minded full-back has a bright career ahead of him both at club and international level.

8) Aaron Hickey - €14.25m

Bologna -> Brentford (2022)

Another promising full-back, Aaron Hickey made his name as a young player at Hearts before being recruited by Serie A outfit Bologna in 2020.

Shining on the Serie A stage as he displayed his impressive versatility as an equally accomplished right and left full-back, Thomas Frank's Brentford were tempted into making a move for the athletic Scotsman in the summer of 2022.

Hickey was able to make an impressive adjustment to Premier League life at the Bees, but his rapid progress has since been unfortunately stunted by some serious injury problems.

7) Ross McCormack - €14.3m

Fulham -> Aston Villa (2016)

Garnering a reputation as one of the most prolific marksmen in the Championship following fruitful spells at Cardiff City, Leeds United and Fulham, Aston Villa spent big on Ross McCormack in August 2016 as they plotted a route back to the Premier League following relegation from the top flight.

The striker ultimately struggled to live up to his substantial transfer fee at Villa Park, however, scoring just three goals in 24 appearances as he eventually ended up loaned out to a myriad of clubs.

6) Steven Fletcher - €15.2m

Wolves -> Sunderland (2012)

One of a plethora of gifted young talents which broke through at Hibernian in the mid-2000s, Steven Fletcher proved a hit south of the border with Burnley and Wolves before being acquired by Sunderland under Martin O'Neill in August 2012.

A target man with a terrific football brain, Fletcher scored 23 goals in 108 appearances for the Black Cats between 2012 and 2016.

Earning 33 Scotland caps, Fletcher struck 10 goals for his country including two hat-tricks against Gibraltar in 2015.

5) Oliver Burke - €15.2m

Nottingham Forest -> RB Leipzig (2016)

An attacking player with conspicuous speed and power, Oliver Burke earned comparisons with a young Gareth Bale at Nottingham Forest before being signed by RB Leipzig for big money upon their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2016.

Despite the promise shown in his early career, Kirkcaldy-born Burke has struggled to put it all together during stints at various clubs across Europe.

4) Che Adams - €16.7m

Birmingham City -> Southampton (2019)

Catching the eye at non-league side Ilkeston in the 2013/14 season, Che Adams made the step up to the professional ranks with Sheffield United in November 2014.

Productive spells at the Blades and Birmingham City followed, with Adams notching 22 goals for the Blues in the Championship during the 2018/19 campaign.

This form convinced Southampton to part with a significant transfer fee to bring the striker to the Premier League, and in 2021 Adams declared for the Scotland national team.

3) Oli McBurnie - €19.1m

Swansea City -> Sheffield United (2019)

Born in Leeds to Scottish parents, Oli McBurnie's big breakthrough as a professional footballer arrived at Swansea City.

The striker became a key player for Swansea following the club's relegation from the Premier League in 2016/17, firing in 22 goals in the subsequent Championship campaign.

This goalscoring prowess in the second tier led to newly-promoted Sheffield United breaking their transfer record at the time to bring McBurnie to Bramall Lane in August 2019.

McBurnie has struggled at senior international level to date having yet to find the net for Scotland.

2) Kieran Tierney - €27m

Celtic -> Arsenal (2019)

A highly popular academy graduate at Celtic, winning eight major trophies at the club, rampaging left-back Kieran Tierney became the Hoops' most valuable export ever when making the move to Premier League giants Arsenal in 2019.

Both an accomplished one-v-one defender and capable of providing assists going forward, Tierney proved a shrewd acquisition by the Gunners - representing a key player as the North London side won the FA Cup under Mikel Arteta in 2020.

Despite growing into an important player for both Arsenal and Scotland, Tierney's career has become derailed by prolonged injury issues.

1) Scott McTominay - €30.5m

Manchester United -> Napoli (2024)

Born in Lancaster to a Scottish father, Manchester United academy graduate Scott McTominay was convinced to play for Scotland by Alex McLeish in 2018, reportedly with the aid of then Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.

A versatile physical powerhouse, McTominay has gone on to enjoy an acclaimed international career in the dark blue of Scotland, scoring seven goals in Euro 2024 Qualifying as Steve Clarke's side made it to the finals in Germany.

A trusted squad player under a series of Man Utd managers include Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, McTominay moved on to become a more central figure at Serie A side Napoli for a significant price tag in 2024.