One Nation Army – All The Nations That Have Contributed Just One Premier League Player

One Nation Army – All The Nations That Have Contributed Just One Premier League Player

Since the re-branding of the English top division in the Premier League in 1992, players from over 120 nations have played in the division, making up of 48 European nations, 33 African countries, 19 from North America, 12 from South America and Asia and two from Oceania.

But what countries have only had one player represent them whilst taking to the pitch in the English Premier League? Here is every player to be the sole Premier League representative for their nation so far

Uzbekistan: Abdukodir Khusanov

In January 2025, the one nation army gained a new member when Manchester City signed defender Abdukodir Khusanov. The 20-year old centre back joined Pep Guardiola’s side from French side Lens, becoming the first ever Uzbek to play in the Premier League.

Khusanov had a shaky debut for City vs Chelsea, but has since steadied himself and has become a key squad player for Guardiola’s team.

Tanzania: Mbwana Samatta

Another January signing, in the winder window of 2020 then newly promoted Aston Villa signed striker Mbwana Samatta from Belgian club Genk for £8.5 million, as a result becoming the first Tanzanian to play for a Premier League club.

The striker didn’t have a long stay in England, only lasting six months at Villa before being loaned out to Fenerbahçe. Samatta later signed permanently for the Turkish giants after scoring two goals for Villa, including one in the EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

Suriname: Ryan Donk

In the summer of 2008, West Brom signed AZ Alkmaar centre-back Ryan Donk on a one year loan deal, where he made sixteen appearances for the Black Country side.

Despite being born in Amsterdam, Donk is from Surinamese descent, and represented Suriname at International level, where he earned 12 caps, being the only player to represent the nation in the Premier League so far.

Philippines: Neil Etheridge

Born in England to one British and one Filipino parent and choosing to represent the Philippines at International level, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge became the first player from both the Philippines and the whole of Southeast Asia to play in the Premier League when he earned promotion to the division with Cardiff City in 2018.

The goalkeeper had a memorable start to life in the division, being nominated for the August Player Of The Month award, however, couldn’t prevent his side’s relegation at the end of the campaign.

Pakistan: Zesh Rehman

Pakistan is one of the most populous countries in the world, but the nation has only one player make an appearance in the English Premier League

In April 2004, defender Zesh Rehman made his Premier League debut for Fulham away at Liverpool for the final minutes. As a result, becoming the first Pakistani and first British Asian to play in the English top flight. And has so far remained the only player to represent Pakistan to play in the division.

Oman: Ali Al-Habsi

Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi was ever-present in the Premier League between the years 2006-2013, firstly with Bolton Wanderers and then a more notable spell with local rivals Wigan Athletic, where he made over 100 appearances.

Born in Muscat, capital of Oman, Al-Habsi also earned over 100 caps for the country, and is the only player from Oman to play in the Premier League.

Mozambique: Reinildo Mandava

The newest member of the one-nation army, when left-back Reinildo joined newly promoted Sunderland in the summer of 2025 from Atletico Madrid, he became the first Mozambican to play in the Premier League when he made his debut in a 3-0 win over West Ham.

He has so far made eight appearances for the club and been capped 52 times at International level.

Kenya: Victor Wanyama

An ever-present midfielder for both Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, Victor Wanyama became the first player to represent Kenya to play for a Premier League club when he signed for Southampton from Celtic in 2013.

After three years on the South Coast, Wanyama signed for Spurs in 2016, joining former Southampton manager Mauricio Pocettino in North London, overall making over 100 appearances in the Premier League.

Iraq: Ali Al-Hamadi

Joining Ipswich Town from AFC Wimbledon in January 2024 after impressing for the London club in League Two, striker Ali Al-Hamadi would taste promotion glory with the Tractor Boys.

And on August 17th, the forward became the first player from Iraq to play in the Premier League, coming on as a substitute vs Liverpool.

Faroe Islands: Gunnar Nielson

In 2009, goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen, born and raised in Tórshavn, capital of the Faroe Islands, became the first player from the nation to play in the Premier league when he came on for Manchester City as a substitute vs Arsenal after an injury to Shay Given.

The goalkeeper had signed for the club from Blackburn Rovers, but that appearance would be the only one he would make in the top flight.

Dominican Republic: Junior Firpo

Born and raised in Dominican Republic, left-back Junior Firpo signed for Leeds United from Barcelona in July 2021, making his debut vs Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Firpo represented Spain at youth level, however in February 2024 announced he would represent the Dominican Republic going forwards at senior level, and became the first player from the nation to play in the Premier League

Cuba: Onel Hernandez

Cuban born winger Onel Hernandez became the first player from Cuba to make a Premier League appearance when he came on for Norwich vs Liverpool in August 2019.

The winger also became the first player from the nation to score in the division when he netted in a 3-1 loss to Manchester United in October of that season.

Central African Republic: Frederic Nimani:

Born in Marseille, forward Frederic Nimani has represented the Central African Republic at senior International level, and has so far earned four caps for the nation

In 2010, he signed on a one year loan deal for Burnley, and became the first player from the Central African Republic to play in the Premier League.

Bangladesh: Hamza Choudhury

Midfielder Hamza Choudhury officially changed allegiance from England to Bangladesh in 2024, and made his debut for the nation in March of 2025.

The midfielder has played in the Premier League for Leicester City, the club where he is a product of their academy. And upon changing allegiance became the first player from Bangladesh to appear in the Premier League.

Mahamoud Dahoud:

Midfielder Mahamoud Dahoud signed for Brighton and Hove Albion on a loan deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, however only made 9 appearances for the South Coast club before returning to Germany.

Dahoud has only represented Germany at International level. However, the midfielder was born in Syria, and is the only Syrian-born player to play in the Premier League as of late.

Guatemala: Nathanial Mendez-Laing

Despite representing England at youth level, Birmingham-born winger Nathanial Mendez-Laing has represented Guatemala since 2023, making nineteen appearances for their national side.

Mendez-Laing was part of the Cardiff City side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2018 alongside Neil Ethridge, and following his allegiance change became the first player to represent Guatemala to play in the English top flight.

Armenia: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Undoubtably the most high-profile member of the one-nation army, midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has had a stellar career.

Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Arsenal, Roma and Inter Milan are all clubs on the Armenian’s CV, and upon joining United from Dortmund he became the first player from Armenia to play in the Premier League in a £27 million move.

Mkhitaryan made 95 senior appearances for his country, scoring 32 goals and is Armenia’s all-time top scorer