Top 5 foreign players in the history of the Premier League

#4 Eric Cantona

The King.

Eric Cantona was one of the 13 foreign players involved in the inaugural season of the Premier League, playing for Leeds United before his transfer to Manchester United in November 1992.

Cantona may not have been a particularly prolific striker as his career record of 165 goals in 440 games shows. Nevertheless, he played a vital role in the success Manchester United had in the 1990s and despite his excellent technical ability, what he was best known for was the aura he possessed, both on and off the field.

Cantona was an eccentric and explosive character, which often led to him leaving clubs prematurely. Indeed, in a 14-year long playing career, he played for eight different clubs, with his five-season spell in Manchester the longest time he spent at a club at a time, which speaks to how comfortable the Frenchman felt at the club.

Cantona played a vital role in helping bring through the class of '92, providing a role model for the likes of Giggs, Beckham and Scholes to look up to and though controversy often dogged him, his work ethic in training and confidence on the pitch made him a fantastic example for the younger players.