Why English players thrive in the Bundesliga: All success stories from Bellingham to Kane

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There are a growing number of English footballers that are looking to seize their opportunities overseas. Germany has quickly become a hub for some of the most exciting young English players, with academy players from some of the most notable clubs looking to gain first-team playing time in the Bundesliga.

Germany clubs have an excellent ability to develop players at the highest level of the game, which is contrasting to English clubs, who very rarely look to give their academy products game time in the significant matches on the schedule.

Besides the most preeminent cases below, there is also the case of Fulham’s Smith Rowe, who played briefly for RB Leipzig and Derby’s Nat Philips, who played for Stuttgart – both teams which out of curiosity are sponsored currently by a crypto casino.

Representation in one of the best football league’s in the world has been used as a stepping stone by notable players throughout Bundesliga history, but which English stars have thrived in the German top-flight?
 

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid (formerly Borussia Dortmund)

Jude Bellingham is regarded as one of the best footballers on the planet in this modern day, but it was in the Bundesliga that he found his route to the top. A host of clubs were vying for the midfielder after it was determined that he needed to leave Birmingham City for financial reasons.

However, Borussia Dortmund held off fierce competition to secure his signature. Bellingham became the youngest player to score for the German club in 2020-21, and he would go on to make 132 appearances for the club across a three-year stay.

The Englishman was part of the DFB Pokal-winning team in 2020-21, and also part of the team that finished second on the final day of the season in 2022-23. However, his performances in that season saw him secure the Bundesliga Player of the Season award. After the 2022-23 season, Real Madrid signed the midfielder for a reported €103 million.
 

Harry Kane – Bayern Munich

Harry Kane is largely regarded as one of the world’s best strikers. Kane wasn’t as much of a hidden talent as Bellingham when arriving to the Bundesliga, as the striker had already scored a club-record tally for Tottenham across a 13-year stay in North London.

However, the England captain signed for Bayern Munich in the hope of ending his long wait for success. But, Kane’s mesmeric performances counted for very little in the grand scheme of things in 2023-24, as Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga for the first time. However, it would be hard to lament the performances of Kane, as he scored 36 goals to clinch the European Golden Shoe.

Overall, the striker scored 44 goals in 45 appearances. The 31-year-old already looks on course to break his scoring heroics from last season, having netted 15 in 14 in the Bundesliga and 21 in as many matches across all competitions.
 

Jadon Sancho – Chelsea (on loan from Manchester United, formerly Borussia Dortmund)

Jadon Sancho was one of the first stars to take the brave decision to leave life in England and chase first-team opportunities in Germany. The winger came through the youth ranks at Watford, before joining the Manchester City academy as part of the Elite Player Performance Plan.

However, Sancho would become increasingly frustrated when a clear path to the first team was not available. That led to his departure to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017 for a reported fee of £8 million.

During his time at Dortmund, Sancho would quickly become one of the most exciting wingers in Europe. Across a four-year stay in Germany, the winger scored 38 goals in 104 appearances, as the German team won the Super Cup in 2019 and DFB Pokal in 2020-21.

However, he would return to England after a long-running saga involving Manchester United. Bit, the move wouldn’t work, with Sancho later returning to Dortmund on a loan deal.

A six-month stay in Germany would help recapture his best form, as Sancho played an important role as the club made it through to the Champions League final, before losing to Real Madrid.
 

Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund

The latest young and emerging English star that is carving out an excellent career for himself in Germany is Jamie Gittens. The 20-year-old came through the youth ranks at Reading, before spending time and Chelsea and later signing for Manchester City.

However, like Sancho, the winger would become concerned surrounding his route to the first team. Therefore, he left City in 2020 when signing for Dortmund in 2020. However, his first months at the club would be challenging, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a torn ligament injury. Gittens would eventually bounce back to his best form, and netted a first Bundesliga goal in a 3-1 away win against Freiburg in August 2022.

The 2023-24 season marked an excellent transition to the first team squad, as he played 34 times across all competitions, scoring twice.

Gittens is already on course to set career-best stats this season, having netted ten in 25 appearances across all competitions. Plus, he has been linked with moves to Bayern, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

There is also a wide spread belief that he could be in line for a first England call-up when Thomas Tuchel names his first squad in March.