Major League Soccer has been blessed with some top-class former Premier League players over the years, with the likes of David Beckham and Thierry Henry enjoying success on US soil.
Oh, and let’s not forget about legends such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Frank Lampard, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.
But who are the best ex-Premier League players in Major League Soccer right now? Let’s take a look at the top five.
Of course, Gonzalo Higuain is best known for his time at Real Madrid, Juventus and Napoli. But let’s not forget that he also played 18 games for Chelsea back in 2019.
The Argentine – who bagged 121 goals in 264 appearances for Los Blancos – joined Inter Miami last year and has started the 2021 MLS season by netting four goals in his first five outings.
Javier Hernandez netted 59 goals in 157 appearances for Manchester United between 2010 and 2015 before enjoying stints at Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham and Sevilla.
After enduring a difficult first season in Major League Soccer, the Mexican has hit the ground running this term – racking up seven goals and two assists across the opening eight matches.
A teammate of Hernandez’s at Old Trafford, Nani played almost 250 games for Man Utd – notching 41 goals and 73 assists for the Red Devils between 2007 and 2015.
Now 34, the Portuguese winger currently resides in Orlando. The veteran has been with the Lions since 2019 and guide them to their first MLS Cup Playoff appearances last season.
It’s fair to say that Alejandro Pozuelo didn’t exactly shine during his time at Swansea City. The Spaniard only featured in 22 Premier League games and failed to register a single goal in that time.
However, Pozuelo is a bona fide hero in MLS. Having chalked up nine goals and nine assists last year, he was named Major League Soccer’s MVP for the 2020 campaign.
Like Higuain, Alexandre Pato’s experienced a short-lived Chelsea career. In fact, he only made two appearances for the Blues while on loan at Stamford Bridge in 2016.
we always keep growing together @OrlandoCitySC 🙏🏻💜 https://t.co/rOaUM68zbR— PATO (@Pato) April 9, 2021
we always keep growing together @OrlandoCitySC 🙏🏻💜 https://t.co/rOaUM68zbR
The Brazilian striker – who scored 63 goals in 150 matches for AC Milan between 2007 and 2013 – recently joined Nani at Orlando City, although his maiden MLS season has been hit by injury.