Who was the last English player to play for Real Madrid?

Beckham is a modern icon
Beckham is a modern icon / Etsuo Hara/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Real Madrid is a club steeped in tradition, having welcomed football's world stars to Spain's capital since its inception in 1902.

Los Blancos have smashed the world transfer record a number of times to sign the best players on the planet, often bringing stars from different corners of the globe to play under the Galacticos banner.

They haven't taken many players from England over the ages, with a rather ropy hit rate, but here are the Three Lions stars to have worn the white of Real.


1. Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham
Cunningham spent five years at Real / Keystone/GettyImages

Years: 1979-1984
Appearances: 62
Goals: 19

West Brom legend Laurie Cunningham made history in 1979 when he became the first British player ever to play for Real Madrid.

Thoroughly underused by England in his career, the left winger used his bursts of pace and quick feet to great effect in his first few years in Spain's capital.

Injuries eventually forced an exit and he would play for Manchester United on loan, Marseille and Wimbledon among others before dying in a car crash in 1989 at the age of 33.


2. Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman of Real Madrid stock
McManaman is a cult hero at Real / Stuart Franklin/GettyImages

Years: 1999-2003
Appearances: 158
Goals: 14

It wasn't until the new millennium that Real cast its gaze towards England again, this time picking up Liverpool stalwart Steve McManaman on a free transfer.

He became a cult hero at the Bernabeu, winning two La Liga and Champions League titles apiece.

McManaman became renowned for his selfless and industrious style of play that helped get the best of the glittering talent alongside him.


Read the latest Real Madrid news here

feed


3. Jonathan Woodgate

Jonathan Woodgate
Woodgate has a Real debut to remember / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Years: 2004-2006
Appearances: 14
Goals: 1

Jonathan Woodgate's infamous Real Madrid debut is the stuff of legend, being sent off for two yellow cards having previously scored an own goal.

His career stunted and spluttered due to injury issues and only two years after joining Los Blancos from Newcastle, he was back in England with Middlesbrough.

He would have subsequent spells with Tottenham, Stoke and Boro before moving into management.


4. Michael Owen

Michael Owen
Owen couldn't get going at the Bernabeu / Jamie McDonald/GettyImages

Years: 2004-2005
Appearances: 45
Goals: 16

Michael Owen's incredible pace and clinical finishing at Liverpool enticed Real to make an £8m move in 2004.

He had been a Ballon d'Or winner in 2001 and firmly fitted into the club's Galacticos policy, but often appeared as a substitute during his only season at the Bernabeu.

Owen was gone after a season in Madrid, managing 16 goals in 45 appearances, and he struggled with injuries in spells with Newcastle and Manchester United before finishing off at Stoke.


5. David Beckham

David Beckham
Beckham left Man Utd for Real / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Years: 2003-2007
Appearances: 159
Goals: 20

David Beckham remains a defining icon in football from the 1990s and 2000s.

The former England captain left Manchester United for the Bernabeu in 2003 and won over fans quickly with his wholeheartedness, leadership and crossing ability, but vast honours escape him and the team.

Beckham started his Real career with a Supercopa de Espana triumph and left in 2007 with a La Liga title before going stateside with LA Galaxy.