The England U21s have reached the final of the European Championships for the first time since 2009, when they were hammered 4-0 by a talented Germany side which featured the likes of Manuel Neuer and Mesut Ozil.
Lee Carsley’s 2023 side, which features some notable young talent such as Noni Madueke, Levi Colwill and Anthony Gordon, will be hoping to go one better than their 2009 counterparts and take home the silverware when they face Spain.
But where is that 2009 team now, and how did their careers turn out after their run to the final?
Scott Loach
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 35-year-old is still playing and is currently at Derby County. Loach failed to go on and make an appearance for the England first-team and played most of his career at Watford, where he stayed between 2006 and 2012, before spells at Ipswich, Barnet, Chesterfield, Hartlepool and others.
Martin Cranie
A solid Championship full-back for much of his career, Cranie had spells at Coventry, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, and last played for Luton Town in 2021. Represented England from U17 level all the way up to U21s.
Micah Richards
Embed from Getty ImagesThe now Sky Sports pundit won 13 caps as a senior England international and won the FA Cup and Premier League during his time at Manchester City. His career was cut short by injury and he is now just as known for his work in the media.
Nedum Onuaha
Like Richards, a former Man City defender before moving on to QPR, where he played for six years of his career both in the Premier League and then Championship. Failed to make an England appearance and ended his career in the MLS with Real Salt Lake.
Kieran Gibbs
Slightly younger than most of his team-mates from the final, the 33-year-old is still playing with Inter Miami in the MLS following a successful career which saw him play for Arsenal and West Brom. Also played ten times for the England senior team.
Fabrice Muamba
Embed from Getty ImagesForced to retire at just 24 after surviving a cardiac arrest while playing for Bolton against Tottenham. A combative and athletic midfielder who would no doubt have gone on to achieve a lot in the game had he not had to cut his career short.
Lee Cattermole
Known mostly for his time at Sunderland, the tough tackling midfielder enjoyed a successful Premier League career before Sunderland’s slide down the divisions. Did not play for the England senior team and was a runner-up with Middlesbrough in their run to the UEFA Cup final.
Mark Noble
Embed from Getty ImagesMr West Ham retired from football in 2022 after spending his whole career with the east London side. A legend of the club who will forever be remembered by their supporters, but did not manage to make an England appearance despite repeated calls from the Hammers fans for him to be involved with the national team.
James Milner
Embed from Getty ImagesArguably the most successful career from this group. Still going at 37 having signed for Brighton this summer following an eight-year spell at Liverpool which saw him win the Premier League, the Champions League, the EFL Cup and FA Cup. A fantastic career and also won plenty of silverware with Man City, and is currently third in the list of most Premier League appearances of all time. 60 caps for England too.
Theo Walcott
Embed from Getty ImagesThe youngest ever player to play for England, Walcott spent most of his career with Arsenal, and has scored 80 goals and recorded 56 assists across a Premier League career which has also seen him play for Everton and Southampton. 47 appearances for the England first-team and now looking for a new club after leaving Southampton.
Adam Johnson
Played for Middlesbrough, Man City and Sunderland before he was sent to prison after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child and child grooming, and was subsequently sacked by Sunderland – ending his career as a professional footballer.
