US gamers in LaLiga – All of the People to have performed in Spain


Whereas no US gamers in LaLiga have but made it to the 100 look mark, a quantity have crossed the Atlantic in recent times to ply their commerce within the Spanish high flight.

Formally there have solely been 10 gamers from america to have featured in LaLiga. Nevertheless, that doesn’t embody the likes of Julian Araujo who selected to play his worldwide soccer for Mexico, nor New Jersey born Giuseppe Rossi, who made 171 appearances within the Primera Division for Villarreal, Celta Vigo and Levante, however represented Italy.

Former Espanyol participant Luca Koleosho may be added to this checklist, ought to he elect to play for the nation of his beginning at senior degree, however he’s at the moment progressing by the Italian youth ranks.

American gamers in LaLiga – Ranked by whole appearances

ParticipantMembershipAppearances
Yunus MusahValencia94
Luca de la TorreCelta Vigo59
Kasey KellerRayo Vallecano51
Sergiño DestBarcelona51
Johnny CardosoActual Betis26
Matt MiazgaAlaves11
Jozy AltidoreVillarreal9
Shaq MooreLevante6
Matthew HoppeMallorca5
Oguchi OnyewuMalaga2
Appearances through transfermarkt.com, correct as of 14th November 2024.

1. Yunus Musah

  • Membership: Valencia
  • Appearances: 94
  • Energetic: 2020-2023

The American participant to have made essentially the most appearances in LaLiga is Yunus Musah with 94. Regardless of being largely raised in London and representing England at youth degree, the midfielder was born in New York and has already received greater than 40 caps for america.

Musah was simply 17 when he made his LaLiga debut for Valencia within the derby in opposition to metropolis rivals Levante in September 2020. He grew to become Los Che’s youngest ever international goalscorer shortly after that and impressed together with his energetic performances in the midst of the park, throughout a tough interval for considered one of Spain’s sleeping giants.

The tendency of Valencia’s homeowners to money in on younger property meant it was at all times seemingly that he’d be bought sooner or later, and Musah accomplished a €21.7m switch to Milan in the summertime of 2023.

2. Luca de la Torre

  • Membership: Celta Vigo
  • Appearances: 59
  • Energetic: 2022-

Of the USMNT gamers at the moment energetic in LaLiga, none have made extra appearances than Luca de la Torre. The San Diego born midfielder joined Celta Vigo on a four-year deal in 2022 and has tended to return out and in of the facet since then.

De la Torre struck his first LaLiga aim in opposition to Osasuna in February 2024, however has endured an harm ravaged time since then. If he can overcome these points, De la Torre will likely be hoping to play his half in Claudio Giraldez’s thrilling younger Celta facet as he bids to chase down Musah to develop into the US participant with essentially the most LaLiga appearances.

3. Kasey Keller

  • Membership: Rayo Vallecano
  • Appearances: 51
  • Energetic: 1999-2001

Kasey Keller broke new floor within the late Nineteen Nineties at a time when it was fairly uncommon to see American gamers in Europe, though the nation was already beginning to construct a repute for goalkeeping expertise.

Whereas different People had already featured within the decrease leagues in Spain, Keller is regarded as the primary ever to seem within the Primera Division. He began nearly all of Rayo Vallecano’s video games throughout a two-year keep within the Spanish capital, serving to the newly promoted facet to a formidable ninth place end in his first season. Solely as soon as have Rayo completed increased up within the high tier.

4. Sergiño Dest

  • Membership: Barcelona
  • Appearances: 51
  • Energetic: 2020-2022

Degree with Keller on 51 appearances is Sergiño Dest who grew to become the primary American to ever play for Barcelona or characteristic in El Clasico.

Dest’s spell in Catalonia got here throughout a tricky time for the membership although and he struggled to make ample sufficient of an affect to recommend he’d have a long-term future as Barca’s right-back. Mortgage strikes to Milan and PSV adopted, and he accomplished a everlasting swap to the Dutch membership in the summertime of 2024, regardless of having lately suffered an ACL harm.

american players in la liga
Johnny Cardoso in motion in opposition to Girona in LaLiga 2024/25 | Picture credit score: depositphotos.com

5. Johnny Cardoso

  • Membership: Actual Betis
  • Appearances: 26
  • Energetic: 2024-

It’s maybe testomony to the restricted American involvement in LaLiga that Johnny Cardoso, a participant who solely moved to Spain in 2024, is already fifth on the all-time look checklist.

Cardoso’s path has been removed from typical. Born in New Jersey to Brazilian mother and father, he was simply months outdated when he moved to Brazil and it was with Internacional in Porto Alegre with whom he made his large breakthrough in senior soccer.

The midfielder opted to symbolize america at worldwide degree although and he has been an enormous hit in Seville thus far, impressing many together with his composed play within the centre of the park.

Present US gamers in LaLiga

Presently, Luca de la Torre and Johnny Cardoso are the one American gamers in LaLiga, at the very least by way of those that have chosen to symbolize america at worldwide degree.

Barcelona’s 18-year-old keeper Diego Kochen has additionally lately obtained a global call-up for the USA. Nevertheless, he’s at the moment with the Barca B staff within the Spanish third tier and is but to characteristic in LaLiga.



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