Across the Channel: Ligue 1 McDonald's quiet rise as a platform for British youth
"To move abroad takes a different kind of character," exclaimed England U21 manager Lee Carsley after the young Three Lions clinched the U21 European Championships this Summer. Not just one - the matchwinner Jonathan Rowe - but three Ligue 1 McDonald's players featured in his side during the final. The same can be said for both Welsh, and Scottish national teams in the past.
While the influx of young French stars heading to England is nothing new, the reverse is becoming more frequent - with young British players now crossing the Channel in search of minutes, maturity, and meaningful development in a league which can rival the Premier League in terms of physicality and intensity.
Another young talent in England youth international Tyler Morton has made the switch over the Channel to Lyon, and he joins a long list of young British players that have made the switch in search of a breakthrough into senior football.
READ MORE: >> Olympique Lyonnais sign Tyler Morton from Liverpool
Angel Gomes (Lille, Marseille, 2020–present)
A standout example is Angel Gomes, the former Manchester United academy captain who took the bold decision to move abroad after limited opportunities at Old Trafford. After a brief spell in Portugal with Boavista, Gomes joined LOSC Lille in 2020 and has since become a key part of their midfield - featuring in the UEFA Champions League for Les Dogues on numerous occasions.
Now 24, he’s matured into a flexible midfielder and has already made his senior England debut. This summer, the Englishman joined Olympique de Marseille on a free transfer
Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse, 2024-present)
Last summer the young English centre-back joined Toulouse FC from boyhood club Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, and has since thrived at the Rose City after featuring in 31 appearances for Les Violets last season.
"It’s definitely a risk [to leave England], but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. Not many English players move abroad, but I wanted to take on the challenge, experience something new, and improve in every aspect of my game," said Cresswell when he signed for TFC.
Since then, the Englishman has gone on to lift the UEFA U21 Euro Championship with the Three Lions this summer - scoring a header during the first match of the tournament and playing every single minute.
Sam Amo-Ameyaw (Strasbourg, 2024-present)
After making his debut in the Premier League for Southampton, he would quickly sign his first professional contract with a club from the South Coast of England. Yet, with opportunities dwindling he would join Ligue 1 McDonald's for the second half of last season.
"At first, I had a hard time being away from my friends and family. But I ended up finding a new one within the team, and today, I'm happy here," the youngster told Ligue 1 on his adaptation to life in France. An energetic and versatile presence, the Englishman impressed enough during his first half-season in Ligue 1 McDonald's for Les Alsatiens to sign the winger permanently for the 2025-2026 season, after making nine appearances and scoring two goals for Liam Rosenior's men - who have qualified for the UEFA Conference league play-offs which will take place in a couple of weeks.
Conrad Jaden Egan-Riley (Marseille, 2024-present)
CJ Egan-Riley had the opportunity to play in the Premier League with Burnley after earning promotion last season with the Clarets, but the England U21 international would turn it down in favour of joining Roberto De Zerbi and Olympique de Marseille this summer.
“Marseille is a big step in my career. I want to soak everything in, like a sponge, and learn everything the coach has to give,” said the 22 year-old during his unveiling with Les Phocéens this summer. Like Charlie Cresswell and fellow Marseille teammate Jonathan Rowe, he clinched the U21 Euro's with England this summer as he looks forward to making his Ligue 1 McDonald's and UEFA Champions League debut with Marseille this season.
Jordan James (Rennes, 2024-present)
"It’s a scary thing, you’re going to a place you’ve never been to, you don’t speak the language, everything is different. But I wanted to give it a try and experience something new," Welshman Jordan James told Ouest-France in an interview last season.
The Rennes midfielder swapped Birmingham for the Celtic surroundings of Brittany and Stade Rennais, and despite seeing several manager changes had made 23 appearances last season. Meanwhile, he has continued representing the Welsh national team with 20 appearances since 2023.
Jonathan Rowe (Marseille, 2024-present)
Jonathan Rowe is always smiling, always full of energy. He has become a better player, and person for a difficult 2024-2025 campaign at Marseille after making a loan switch from Norwich City last summer, and it was rewarded after OM decided to sign the adaptable attacker on a permanent move this summer. "There’s a lot more English players making the move over to France," said Rowe in an interview with Get French Football News last season. "I’m certainly enjoying my time here. It’s very similar in terms of physicality to England.”
His experience in Ligue 1 McDonald's certainly helped him this summer, when he netted the matchwinner for England U21s in a dramatic 3-2 extra time win over Germany in the final of the U21 European Championships.
"To move abroad takes a different kind of character. Jonathan's done so well when he has had the opportunity at Marseille - he fully deserves to be in our squad," said England U21 manager Lee Carsely following the victory.
Whether on loan or permanent transfers, clubs across Ligue 1 McDonald's are beginning to trust British academy products - and the results have been so far promising, with more English, Welsh, and Scottish talents hoping to make the breakthrough in the future.
READ MORE:
>> CJ Egan-Riley: 'Marseille is a big step in my career'
