Australia is one of the sportiest nations in the world. We love it! But when it comes to football — or soccer, as we like to call it — cracking Europe’s top leagues is still the ultimate dream for our top players. When you look at the live football odds at Boylesports for European leagues and teams, you’ll see plenty of Europeans (of course), players from all over Africa and lots of South Americans… but what about Aussies? Well, despite the distance and challenges, there have been a few Australian players who’ve not only made it there – but they’ve also made a huge impact on the world’s biggest leagues.
So, with that said, here’s a look at the most successful Aussies to make it in European football.
Tim Cahill – The Premier League Icon
When people think of Aussies in Europe (apart from Kylie and Jason), Tim Cahill is, for sporting fans anyway, the first name that comes to mind. The attacking midfielder earned a solid reputation playing for Millwall before he went on to become a household name at Everton FC in the English Premier League. With an incredible heading ability, Energizer Bunny energy, and a knack for scoring in the biggest moments, he was definitely a fan favourite at Goodison Park.
Over the eight seasons at Everton, he made over 250 appearances and scored 56 goals…not bad for a midfielder. His success definitely helped to pave the way for future Aussies who had big Premier League dreams.
Harry Kewell – The Wizard of Oz
Next, we have arguably the most technically gifted Australian footballer of all time, Harry Kewell, who made waves in Europe thanks to his silky dribbling and very talented left foot. He burst onto the scene playing for Leeds United, where he was a star performer in their memorable run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2001.
In 2003, he signed for Liverpool and became one of the few Aussies to play for a European giant. Although his time at Anfield was hampered by injuries, he still managed to win the 2005 Champions League – becoming the first ever Aussie male player to lift the prestigious trophy. He may have had a pretty frustrating injury record, but his European club career is still one of the most high-profile for Aussie players.
Mark Viduka – The Ultimate Striker
Obviously, we have to mention Viduka, who was a powerhouse forward with the touch of a playmaker. Like Kewell, he was a star at Leeds United and was part of a deadly partnership with the Aussie winger during the early 2000s. Viduka already had a great reputation in Europe thanks to his time at Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic, but it was at Leeds where he was in top form.
Memorably, he scored four goals in one single match against Liverpool – and ended up being the club’s top scorer for several seasons. He went on to Middlesbrough and then Newcastle, and still has a reputation for being one of the best technical finishers to ever come out of Australia.
Mark Schwarzer – An Iron Wall in Goal
Goalkeepers don’t often get the attention they sometimes warrant, but Mark Schwarzer deserves every bit of recognition. The towering shot-stopper still holds the record for the most Premier League appearances by a non-British outfield player — over 500 matches.
He was an incredibly important player for Middlesbrough (including a UEFA Cup final run in 2006), Fulham (another European final), Chelsea, and Leicester City. And while he wasn’t part of Leicester’s 2015/16 miracle season, he was part of the squad – and became the first Australian to be part of back-to-back Premier League-winning squads after playing his previous season at Chelsea.
Ange Postecoglou – Coaching Europe’s Elite
OK, he might not be a player, but we should mention Ange Postecoglou, the first Australian manager to ever win a major European league. After success at home with Brisbane Roar and time spent managing the Socceroos, he ended up making history by winning back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic FC.
Moreover, in 2023, he became the first Australian to manage a Premier League club when he took over at Tottenham Hotspur.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few others that at least deserve a nod, including Lucas Neill, a top defender at Blackburn and West Ham; Brett Emerton, a winger who made over 200 appearances for Blackburn Rovers; and Aaron Mooy, the midfielder at Huddersfield, Brighton, and Celtic.
These are just some of the top footy players to have made it big in European football – and we’re sure plenty more will follow in their footsteps!
