<\/p>\n
The Premier League has long provided the stage for some of Australian football\u2019s greatest names, and now a new generation is preparing to write its own chapter.<\/p>\n
With the new season just days away, 18-year-old Socceroos defender Lucas Herrington is preparing for life in England\u2019s top flight after completing a move to newly-promoted Hull City, becoming the latest Australian to feature in the world\u2019s most-watched domestic competition.<\/p>\n
But what happened to the Aussies who came before him?<\/p>\n
Some have remained firmly entrenched in football, becoming national team coaches, club bosses, technical directors, agents and television pundits.<\/p>\n
For others, life after the Premier League has taken them down some far more unexpected paths.<\/p>\n
Among them is an Aussie great who now runs a caf\u00e9 in Croatia, another who has built a property portfolio, a former Socceroo who became a partner at a major law firm and another who is now the CEO of an Italian football club.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a former Premier League goalkeeper who describes himself as a \u201cfull-time dad\u201d and \u201cpart-time surf\/golfer\u201d, while others have ventured into everything from football academies and international recruitment to running a luxury retreat.<\/p>\n
And then there are those who have disappeared from the football spotlight.<\/p>\n
As Herrington prepares to begin his Premier League journey, Fox Sports Australia <\/i>looks back at the Australians who came before him and the fascinating, successful and sometimes bizarre places they have ended up.<\/p>\n
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n MARK SCHWARZER \u2013 514 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n No Australian has played more Premier League football than Mark Schwarzer, with the legendary goalkeeper making a remarkable 514 appearances across spells with Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea and Leicester City. <\/p>\n Schwarzer spent the majority of his English career at Middlesbrough, making 332 Premier League appearances before adding another 172 at Fulham and later providing experienced cover at Chelsea and Leicester.<\/p>\n His longevity remains extraordinary, with Schwarzer playing across 19 Premier League seasons and recording more than 150 clean sheets in the competition. <\/p>\n Since retiring, the former Socceroos No.1 has remained closely connected to the Premier League through the media.<\/p>\n Now 53, Schwarzer has established himself as a prominent pundit and commentator, including appearances on the BBC\u2019s Match of the Day<\/p>\n LUCAS NEILL \u2013 279 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Former Socceroos captain Lucas Neill was an Australian Premier League mainstay, making 279 appearances across nine seasons with Blackburn Rovers, West Ham and Everton.<\/p>\n Neill spent the bulk of his time at Blackburn before joining West Ham in 2007, where he went on to captain the club, before a brief stint alongside Tim Cahill at Everton.<\/p>\n Life after football proved challenging, with Neill filing for bankruptcy in 2016 before later being found not guilty of allegations he deliberately hid money from bankruptcy proceedings.<\/p>\n Now 48, Neill lives in northern England, where he coaches women and girls at a local club, while his teenage son Marcus is progressing through Sunderland\u2019s academy system.<\/p>\n HARRY KEWELL \u2013 274 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Harry Kewell remains one of Australia\u2019s greatest Premier League exports, making 274 appearances across spells with Leeds United and Liverpool.<\/p>\n Kewell starred for a Leeds side that challenged near the top of the Premier League before earning a major move to Liverpool in 2003, where he spent five seasons and was part of the famous 2005 Champions League-winning squad.<\/p>\n Since retiring, Kewell has built an extensive coaching career, becoming the first Australian to manage a professional English club when he took charge of Crawley Town in 2017.<\/p>\n After further spells in England, he joined Ange Postecoglou\u2019s staff at Celtic before taking charge of Yokohama F. Marinos and guiding them to the 2024 AFC Champions League final.<\/p>\n Now 47, Kewell is head coach of Hanoi FC in Vietnam and returned to Australia as part of SBS\u2019 2026 World Cup coverage.<\/p>\n BRETT EMERTON \u2013 247 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Brett Emerton became a Premier League mainstay with Blackburn Rovers, making 247 appearances across eight seasons after joining from Feyenoord in 2003.<\/p>\n The versatile Socceroo became a key figure at Ewood Park before returning home to finish his career with Sydney FC in 2011.<\/p>\n Now 47, Emerton remains involved in Australian football, recently scouting emerging talent for Football Australia while also coaching at junior club Macarthur Rams.<\/p>\n Away from the game, the 95-cap Socceroo manages a portfolio of commercial and residential properties.<\/p>\n MARK VIDUKA \u2013 240 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Mark Viduka was one of Australia\u2019s most prolific Premier League forwards, making 240 appearances across spells with Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos captain became a cult figure at Leeds before continuing his career in England\u2019s north-east, eventually retiring in 2009.<\/p>\n Now 50, Viduka has swapped scoring goals for serving coffee, living in Zagreb, Croatia, where he runs his own cafe, Non Plus Ultra, and has largely stepped away from football.<\/p>\n Viduka has embraced a quieter life, spending time with his family and even playing guitar alongside his sons.<\/p>\n TIM CAHILL \u2013 226 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Tim Cahill became one of Australia\u2019s greatest Premier League players, making 226 appearances for Everton and scoring 56 goals during eight memorable seasons at Goodison Park.<\/p>\n The Socceroos great became a fan favourite after joining from Millwall in 2004, establishing himself as one of the competition\u2019s most dangerous goalscoring midfielders.<\/p>\n Now 46, Cahill remains heavily involved in football as technical director of the Qatar Football Association and chief sports officer at Aspire Academy, alongside several advisory roles across the global game.<\/p>\n He is also an academic board member and ambassador for the FIFA Diploma in Club Management.<\/p>\n MARK BOSNICH \u2013 206 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Mark Bosnich made 206 Premier League appearances across spells with Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea, establishing himself as one of Australia\u2019s most prominent goalkeepers in England.<\/p>\n The former Socceroo enjoyed the bulk of his success at Villa before returning to Manchester United in 1999, where he was part of a Premier League-winning squad.<\/p>\n Since retiring, Bosnich has become one of Australian football\u2019s most recognisable media personalities, spending more than a decade as a pundit and analyst.<\/p>\n Now 54, he is part of Stan Sport\u2019s football coverage, including its UEFA Champions League broadcasts.<\/p>\n Arsenal Send Huge Warning to Competitors | 02:15<\/p>\n STAN LAZARIDIS \u2013 166 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Stan Lazaridis made 166 Premier League appearances across spells with West Ham and Birmingham City, spending almost a decade in English football.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos winger joined West Ham in 1995 before moving to Birmingham, where he helped the club establish itself in the Premier League following promotion in 2002.<\/p>\n Now 53, Lazaridis remains heavily involved in Australian football as football director at Perth Glory, overseeing areas including recruitment, squad building and football strategy.<\/p>\n MATHEW RYAN \u2013 124 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Mat Ryan made 124 Premier League appearances across spells with Brighton and Arsenal, spending the bulk of his time as the Seagulls\u2019 first-choice goalkeeper.<\/p>\n The Socceroos veteran joined Brighton in 2017 and made more than 100 top-flight appearances before a brief loan spell with Arsenal in 2021.<\/p>\n Unlike most on this list, Ryan is still playing professionally. Now 34, he is continuing his career in Spain with Levante after a journey that has taken him across several of Europe\u2019s major leagues.<\/p>\n AARON MOOY \u2013 96 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Aaron Mooy made 96 Premier League appearances across spells with Huddersfield Town and Brighton, having first helped the Terriers secure promotion to the top flight.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos midfielder retired from professional football in 2023 after finishing his career with Celtic, having earned 57 caps for Australia and featured at two World Cups.<\/p>\n Since retirement, Mooy has reportedly remained involved in the game at grassroots level, with links to the Grasshopper Soccer program in Australia, which introduces young children to football.<\/p>\n MILE JEDINAK \u2013 90 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Mile Jedinak became a cult figure at Crystal Palace, making 90 Premier League appearances for the Eagles after helping captain the club to promotion from the Championship in 2013.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos skipper spent five years at Palace and also led the club to the 2016 FA Cup final before moving to Aston Villa, where he eventually finished his playing career.<\/p>\n Since retiring, Jedinak has moved into coaching and worked under Ange Postecoglou as an assistant at both Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n The 42-year-old is now back with the national team as an assistant coach under Tony Popovic, having joined the Socceroos set-up in January before being part of Australia\u2019s 2026 World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n JOHN FILAN \u2013 74 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n John Filan featured in the Premier League across spells with Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic before bringing his playing career to an end in 2007.<\/p>\n The former Australian goalkeeper subsequently moved into coaching, including roles with Sydney FC and Blackburn\u2019s youth set-up before a brief stint as assistant manager at Shrewsbury Town in 2018. <\/p>\n Filan has remained involved in goalkeeper coaching and holds UEFA coaching qualifications.<\/p>\n DANNY TIATTO \u2013 51 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Danny Tiatto made 51 Premier League appearances for Manchester City across three seasons in the English top flight, scoring twice and establishing himself as a fan favourite through his aggressive, hard-working style.<\/p>\n The former Socceroo spent six years with City before joining Leicester City in 2004, later returning to Australia with Brisbane Roar and finishing his playing career with several clubs in Victoria.<\/p>\n Tiatto has largely remained out of the public spotlight since hanging up the boots, with no widely reported current coaching or professional football role.<\/p>\n Arsenal cruise past City in Shield | 01:28<\/p>\n RICHARD GARCIA \u2013 49 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Richard Garcia made 49 Premier League appearances, primarily during his time with Hull City after helping the club earn promotion to the top flight in 2008.<\/p>\n The former Socceroo returned to Australia later in his career before moving into coaching, eventually taking charge of Perth Glory from 2020 to 2022.<\/p>\n Garcia has since worked extensively within Australia\u2019s national youth set-up, including as an assistant with the U23s and Young Socceroos. More recently, he returned to his junior club Olympic Kingsway, initially as technical director before stepping in as interim head coach during the 2026 NPL WA season.<\/p>\n JOSIP SKOKO \u2013 45 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Josip Skoko made 45 Premier League appearances during his time with Wigan Athletic, becoming part of the Latics side during their early years in the top flight.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos midfielder later returned to Australia before eventually settling primarily in Split, Croatia.<\/p>\n Now 50, Skoko remains involved in football as a mentor and pundit, while his sons Noa and Luka are both pursuing professional careers.<\/p>\n BRAD JONES \u2013 45 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Brad Jones made 45 Premier League appearances across spells with Middlesbrough and Liverpool, spending six years at Anfield after joining the Reds in 2010.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos goalkeeper has since moved into coaching and holds UEFA coaching qualifications, with his most recent role coming as part of Perth Glory\u2019s women\u2019s set-up.<\/p>\n Jones recently returned to Europe to continue his coaching development in Wales, while also making the trip to Anfield for Liverpool\u2019s final game of the season.<\/p>\n PAUL OKON \u2013 43 MATCHES<\/b><\/p>\n Paul Okon made 43 Premier League appearances across spells with Middlesbrough and Leeds United, adding English top-flight football to a career that also took him across Italy and Belgium.<\/p>\n The former Socceroos captain has since moved into coaching and is now an assistant coach with the Socceroos under Tony Popovic.<\/p>\n Okon was part of Australia\u2019s coaching staff during its memorable run to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where there was also a special family connection \u2014 his son, Paul Okon-Engstler, was part of the Socceroos squad.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n TRANSFER WHISPERS: Socceroos star joins powerhouse in $33m record move<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n \u2018HERE TO STAY\u2019: Aussie\u2019s unbeaten Saudi start continues \u2026 with Ronaldo still waiting<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n