Only 5 Players That Have Played in Every Major European League

When footballers talk about reaching the top, they usually mean breaking into one of Europe’s elite leagues. But some players go far beyond that not just making it to the top, but crossing borders and proving themselves in every one of Europe’s big five leagues: the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.

It’s a rare feat. So rare, in fact, that only five players in the history of football have pulled it off  and some of the names may surprise you. Let’s take a look at the select few who’ve completed the full set.

Christian Poulsen 

Christian Poulsen’s career was the definition of versatile. The Danish midfielder wasn’t the flashiest name on the pitch, but he quietly built a career that spanned Germany, Spain, Italy, England, and France.

He started in the Bundesliga with Schalke, where he established himself as a tough-tackling midfielder. From there, he moved to Sevilla in La Liga, before taking on Serie A with Juventus.

In 2010, Liverpool brought him to the Premier League, though he only stayed one season at Anfield. But his final stop in the big five came in 2011 when he joined Evian in Ligue 1.

That move completed the puzzle, five leagues, five very different challenges, and a quiet legacy as one of Europe’s ultimate journeymen.

Florin Răducioiu – The Nomadic Striker

Romanian forward Florin Răducioiu didn’t just change leagues, he changed countries like most players change boots. Over a 19-year career, he played for 10 different clubs and rarely stayed long.

He started his European adventure in Serie A, featuring for Bari, Verona, Brescia, and even the mighty AC Milan. A move to Espanyol in La Liga followed in the mid-90s, where he enjoyed a strong spell.

His brief time at West Ham United in the Premier League was less successful, just 12 appearances and one goal, but it helped check off England. Then came a stint with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, and finally, a short spell at Monaco, where he wrapped up his Ligue 1 duties.

He may not have had long runs at any single club, but his passport tells the story of a true football adventurer.

Stevan Jovetić 

When Stevan Jovetić broke through at Fiorentina, many saw him as one of the most exciting strikers of his generation. A sharp finisher with great movement, he was soon snapped up by Manchester City in 2013 for £23 million.

His time in the Premier League was hit-and-miss, some great goals, but lots of time on the injury table. That became a running theme in his career. Yet he still managed to play for Sevilla in La Liga, Monaco in Ligue 1, and Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga.

Despite missing over 150 games due to injuries (including two ACL tears), the Montenegrin forward ticked off every top European league, and even now, at 35, he’s still going strong with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus.

Justin Kluivert – The Fast-Tracker

Most players spend a whole career trying to break into one or two of Europe’s elite leagues. Justin Kluivert managed all five before he even turned 25.

The Dutch winger, son of Barcelona legend Patrick Kluivert was originally signed by Roma in Serie A. From there, a series of loan spells took him to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, Nice in Ligue 1, and Valencia in La Liga.

In 2023, he completed the five-league set by joining Bournemouth in the Premier League. He hit the ground running in England too, with 18 goal contributions in his debut season.

Still just 26, Kluivert is the youngest on this list and could be the only one who might return to each of the five leagues again.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 

Okay, this one comes with a bit of a technicality. Aubameyang has starred in France (Saint-Étienne, Marseille), Germany (Borussia Dortmund), England (Arsenal, Chelsea), and Spain (Barcelona). 

But while he spent four years under contract with AC Milan, he never actually played a Serie A match.

He was on the books at Milan between 2007 and 2011, featuring mainly for the youth team and spending time out on loan. He never made a senior league appearance in Italy which is why his inclusion here is debated.

Still, considering his time in Milan and how close he came, some argue he deserves a mention. Either way, his journey across the remaining four leagues is still one of the most impressive of the modern era.