Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier’s move to Atletico Madrid will make him the 20th Englishman to feature in the Spanish top-flight, and the first one to sign for Los Rojiblancos since the Spanish civil war.
The 28-year-old joins the list that includes the likes of Gary Lineker, Michael Owen, David Beckham, and many others.
Let’s look at 3 English players who at some point in their career handled their business in the Spanish Primera Liga.
#1 David Beckham (2003-2007)
After continuous spats with then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the Englishman finally left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in the summer of 2003.
Beckham was part of the famous Galactico team that didn’t enjoy as much success as they wanted on the field. However, individually, he outperformed several of his teammates and was awarded the Los Blancos’ player of the year award in 2006.
The winger lifted two trophies during his time at Santiago Bernabeu; the Spanish Super Cup (2003/04) and La Liga (2006/07).
His joy was cut short as he soon left for LA Galaxy on a free transfer in the summer after arriving in the Spanish capital for a whopping €37.5 million four years before in 2003.
#2 Gary Lineker (1986-1989)
The 26-year-old at the time, Lineker moved to Barcelona from Everton. The former English International was coming on the back of winning the Golden Boot in the 1986 World Cup as he made his move to the Spanish giants.
During his three-year stay at Camp Nou, the former Leicester City man lifted a Spanish Cup and a Cup Winners Cup trophy.
Linekar scored 48 goals for Barcelona and made over 100 appearances for the Catalan club. However, after the appointment of Johann Cruyff in 1989, Lineker was let go, and he joined Tottenham Hotspur afterwards.
#3 Steve McManaman (1999-2003)
McManaman rose through the Liverpool ranks and arrived at Real Madrid as a free agent in 1999 after 9 years with the Merseyside club.
The Englishman immediately made an impact, helping the Galacticos lift the Champions League in his debut season at the club.
The former Reds midfielder achieved great success, lifting 8 titles, including two Champions League and two La Liga, during his four-year stay in the Spanish capital.
McManaman later moved to Manchester City as a free agent.
