The countries that have had just one player represent them in Premier League history

Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, players from over 100 countries have competed in England’s top flight. It has welcomed players from all corners of the globe, yet some countries have seen only one representative grace its pitches.

With Uzbekistan's Abdukodir Khusanov joining Manchester City this January, there are now 18 nations that have had only a single player reach the Premier League. Let’s take a closer look at these trailblazers and their contributions to football’s most-watched league.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan became Armenia's only Premier League player when he joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in 2016. According to Transfermarkt, the attacking midfielder made 63 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 13 goals, including a stunning scorpion kick against Sunderland. Mkhitaryan won the 2017 Europa League with United before moving to Arsenal, adding another 59 games to his tally.

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Choudhury (right) made history for Leicester City as part of the Foxes' 2020 FA Cup-winning squad. Though born in England, the tenacious midfielder remains the only Bangladeshi-heritage player to feature in the Premier League.

Nimani, a forward by trade, briefly featured for Burnley on loan during the 2009/10 season, becoming the only player from the Central African Republic in Premier League history. The striker’s short spell in England added to his journeyman career across Europe.

After being promoted with Norwich City, Hernández became the first, and only, Cuban player in the Premier League in 2019/20. Even though the Canaries were relegated that season, the winger’s pace and flair have brought excitement to Carrow Road for many years.

Swapping Barcelona for Leeds United in 2021, Firpo became the league's first Dominican. Though raised in Malaga, Spain, the attack-minded left-back’s move to England is a milestone for football in the Caribbean nation. Now, he is well on course to make 100 appearances for the Yorkshire club.

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Nielsen is the Premier League’s only player from the Faroe Islands. The goalkeeper made a single appearance for Manchester City on 24 April 2010 as a substitute for the injured Shay Given during the side's stalemate against Arsenal. Though brief, his cameo marked a proud moment for Faroese football.

Higginbotham, born in Manchester but representing Gibraltar (three caps), played in the Premier League for Southampton, Sunderland and Stoke City. The defender made 200+ top-flight appearances between 1998 and 2013, becoming something of a cult hero.

Although he only represented Guatemala in recent years, Mendez-Laing featured in the EPL for Cardiff City in the 2018/19 season. The dynamic winger, a favourite of boss Neil Warnock, scored four goals in 20 league appearances, including a brace against Manchester United (pictured).

The Premier League’s sole Indonesian representative, Jordi Amat, played for Swansea City from 2013 to 2018. Though born in Spain, Amat’s heritage allowed him to represent Indonesia internationally later in his career. He made 52 Premier League appearances, primarily as a central defender.

Al-Hamadi became the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League during Ipswich Town's first game back in the top flight in August 2024, coming on as a substitute against Liverpool. The forward joined on the back of a free-scoring year at AFC Wimbledon.

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Wanyama put Kenya on the Premier League map thanks to successful stints with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. According to Transfermarkt, the powerful midfielder played 154 league games, scoring 10 goals. Known for his physicality and defensive capabilities, Wanyama was instrumental in Spurs’ 2016/17 runners-up campaign. He remains one of Kenya’s most celebrated athletes.

Ali Al-Habsi enjoyed a successful Premier League career as a goalkeeper with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. With over 100 appearances between 2006 and 2013, Al-Habsi played a key role in Wigan’s 2011/12 survival campaign. He remains one of Oman’s most celebrated sporting icons.

Zesh Rehman became Pakistan’s lone representative in the Premier League while playing for Fulham between 2004 and 2006. A versatile defender, the Birmingham-born Rehman made 21 EPL appearances, according to Transfermarkt. His breakthrough inspired many young footballers from South Asia, and he remains an advocate for diversity in football.

Neil Etheridge broke new ground as the first Filipino to play in the Premier League, appearing for Cardiff City in 2018/19. The goalkeeper featured in every game that season, according to Transfermarkt, earning plaudits for his penalty-saving abilities. Despite Cardiff’s relegation that year, Etheridge’s performances stood out, making him a trailblazer for Southeast Asian players.

Donk, a versatile Dutch-born defender, briefly played in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion in 2008/09 before later going on to represent Suriname internationally. Although his stint in England was short, Donk has enjoyed a successful career across Europe, especially in Turkey.

Mahmoud Dahoud (right) joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023, becoming Syria’s first Premier League player. Previously a mainstay for both Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, Dahoud had earned a reputation as a creative midfielder with an excellent passing range. However, he lasted just one season in England before returning to the Bundesliga.

Having impressed in Belgium with Genk (82 goals in 227 appearances, according to Transfermarkt), Samatta became Tanzania’s first Premier League player when he joined Aston Villa in 2020. The striker scored on his league debut but struggled for consistency, leaving for Turkey just seven months after signing a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Abdukodir Khusanov made headlines in January 2025 as Uzbekistan’s first Premier League player after joining Manchester City from French side Lens for €40 million, according to Transfermarkt.

At just 20 years old—and with only 69 appearances as a first-team player under his belt—Khusanov is far from the finished product. However, as a City player, the centre-back is poised to develop under some of the best coaching in the world.

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