5 exciting "Forwards" from "wee" clubs of England

Jozy Altidore

Highly rated as a youngster in United States, Jozy Altidore took his time to make a mark in the European football circles. After moving to Villareal in 2008, he failed to establish himself in the first team and was loaned out on various occasions to minnow clubs. The loan spells were frustrating and critics started doubting his abilities as a striker, even when he regularly featured in the US national side. Moving to AZ Alkmaar in 2011 proved to be a right decision and the forward has since scored 39 times for the Dutch club. He moved this summer to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee and is expected to feature alongside Steven Fletcher for the Black Cats.

Resurgence of the Prodigy!

Jozy has played for USA in almost all the major FIFA tournaments and has 20 goals for the national side. He comes off from a very successful year both at the club and with the national side, and has established himself as a potential threat in front of the goal.

The 23 year old striker has a large physical presence and has the pace and the ability to take on the defenders and charge towards the goal with authority. He has improved as a footballer after getting over the hype surrounding him and focusing on his game at AZ. He will be a strong addition to the Sunderland squad which figures in the bottom three goal scorers from the last season. He is a cut made for English game, with his skills and ability almost ideal for the league.

A tremendous season at AZ has again built expectations around the young forward and it will be good to see how he deals with them the second time.