Traditionally, the highest Welsh golf equipment have performed within the English league system – and many of the high Welsh gamers lately have spent at the least a part of their profession with a number of English golf equipment.
Some have travelled additional afield to ply their commerce, although – principally to continental Europe but in addition North America, Asia and Oceania.
Right here, we take you thru a collection of Wales internationals who’ve skilled membership soccer abroad.
Ethan Ampadu
(Picture credit score: Alamy)
Ethan Ampadu frolicked in Germany and Italy throughout mortgage spells away from Chelsea as a teenager.
The versatile defender, who made his Wales debut in 2017, made a handful of appearances for Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig in 2019/20, earlier than that includes repeatedly for Serie A sides Spezia and Venezia throughout the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.
Dai Astley
Dai Astley (Picture credit score: Alamy)
A prolific goalscorer who discovered the web 12 occasions in 13 caps for Wales throughout the Nineteen Thirties, Dai Astley ended his profession in France.
The ex-Charlton, Aston Villa and Derby County striker joined Metz after the Second World Struggle, spending a yr with the Lorraine-based membership earlier than retiring.
He went on to handle golf equipment in Italy and Sweden, taking cost of Inter and Genoa within the former.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale in motion for Actual Madrid (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Arguably the best Welsh participant of all time, Gareth Bale was already a celebrity when he left Tottenham for Actual Madrid in 2013.
However within the years following his big-money transfer to the Bernabeu, the electrifying winger ascended to new heights, serving to Actual to quite a few main honours – together with 5 Champions League titles.
The long-time nationwide crew captain noticed out his taking part in days within the USA with LAFC.
Mark Bowen
Mark Bowen in motion for Shimizu S-Pulse (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
John Charles
John Charles at Juventus (Picture credit score: Alamy)
An everyday for Wales throughout the 90s, Mark Bowen made the overwhelming majority of his membership appearances for Norwich Metropolis.
The left-back had stints with a variety of different English outfits, in addition to spending a short while in Japan – the place he scored three targets in seven video games for Shimizu S-Pulse in 1997.
Simon Church
Simon Church in motion for Roda JC (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Born in England however capped 38 occasions by Wales between 2009 and 2016, Simon Church briefly performed within the Netherlands late in his profession.
The previous Studying and Charlton Athletic frontman made 4 appearances for Eredivisie facet Roda JC throughout the 2016/17 marketing campaign, earlier than returning to the UK to hitch Scunthorpe United.
David Cotterill
David Cotterill (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Having spent the primary 14 years of his profession turning out for a string of English and Welsh golf equipment, winger David Cotterill went to play within the Indian Tremendous League in 2018.
The 24-cap winger featured thrice for Kolkata outfit ATK, the place his teammates included Robbie Keane, earlier than retiring later that yr.
Nick Deacy
Nick Deacy at PSV (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
A 12-time Welsh worldwide within the late 70s, striker Nick Deacy spent a lot of his profession within the Netherlands and Belgium.
A part of the PSV crew who gained the 1977/78 UEFA Cup, Deacy additionally turned out for Vitesse Arnhem and Belgian membership Beringen. He later had a few stints in Hong Kong.
Robert Earnshaw
Robert Earnshaw in motion for the Vancouver Whitecaps (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Robert Earnshaw left his mark on English soccer by changing into the primary participant to hit hat-tricks in every of the highest 4 divisions, earlier than spending many of the closing years of his profession in North America – the place he performed for Toronto FC, Chicago Fireplace and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The somersaulting centre-forward additionally had a spell in Israel, on mortgage at Maccabi Tel Aviv from Cardiff throughout the 2012/13 marketing campaign.
Trevor Ford
Trevor Ford (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Suspended by the FA after revealing how his former membership Sunderland had tried to bypass most wage restrictions, Trevor Ford left England for the Netherlands in 1957.
The striker, who scored 23 worldwide targets, made greater than 50 appearances throughout three seasons at PSV earlier than winding down at Welsh membership Newport County.
Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes at Barcelona (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Welsh attacking nice Mark Hughes is a Manchester United legend, starting and ending the 80s at Previous Trafford – however he additionally had time to play in two nations on the continent.
‘Sparky’ linked up with fellow Brits Gary Lineker and Steve Archibald at Barcelona in 1986 however struggled to make an influence on the Camp Nou, being loaned out to Bayern Munich earlier than returning to United.
Joe Ledley
Joe Ledley in motion for Newcastle United Jets (Picture credit score: Alamy)
An integral member of Wales’ midfield en path to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Joe Ledley represented golf equipment in his homeland, England, Scotland and Australia.
The previous Cardiff Metropolis, Celtic and Crystal Palace participant, who earned a complete of 77 caps, featured a handful of occasions for Newcastle United Jets down below.
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey in motion for Juventus (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Like the good John Charles earlier than him, Aaron Ramsey pulled on the well-known black and white shirt of Juventus.
After profitable the 2019/20 Serie A title and 2020/21 Coppa Italia with Juve, the ex-Arsenal star swapped Italy for France – the place he spent a single season at Good, re-joining boyhood membership Cardiff Metropolis in 2023.
Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson in motion for the New York Purple Bulls (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
A Welsh worldwide on 52 events from 1999 to 2009, midfielder Carl Robinson made virtually 100 MLS appearances earlier than hanging up his boots in 2011.
After three years at Toronto FC, Robinson swapped Canada for the USA and signed for the New York Purple Bulls, the place he turned a player-coach.
Ian Rush
Ian Rush in motion for Juventus (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Dean Saunders
Dean Saunders celebrates after scoring for Galatasaray (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Amongst Wales’ foremost stars of the 90s, Dean Saunders bought a style of Turkish and Portuguese soccer with Galatasaray and Benfica respectively.
The previous Liverpool and Aston Villa striker lifted the 1995/96 Turkish Cup with Gala, scoring in each legs of the ultimate in opposition to their arch-rivals Fenerbahce – together with an extra-time winner within the second leg.
