Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has agreed a transfer to join La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.
The England international has been locked in talks with Diego Simeone's side since the end of Euro 2024 after being informed of Chelsea's intention to sell him.
Chelsea recently accepted a £34 million ($43.4m) bid for Gallagher, after the midfielder opted against signing an extension at Stamford Bridge, and he deal has since been wrapped up.
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His arrival forms part of a spending spree from Simeone, with Robin Le Normand joining from Real Sociedad, and Julian Alvarez on the verge of joining from Manchester City.
Gallagher now begins a new chapter in his career, but there have been plenty of England stars who have excelled in Spain, and The Sporting News takes a look at the best swap England for Spain.
Jude Bellingham
Gallagher will have one familiar face in the Spanish capital as he prepares to join Jude Bellingham in Madrid.
Bellingham's incredible first season at Real Madrid saw him named as La Liga Player of the Year in 2023/24, after netting 19 league goals, alongside winning a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double.
🎩 Sir Jude Bellingham 🎩#UCL pic.twitter.com/uXGwfxpAEB
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 29, 2023
The future is bright for Bellingham in Madrid, and he will want to keep on lifting trophies there, and his potential hints at becoming the most successful English player to star in Spain.
Kieran Trippier
Despite not boasting the superstar status of some of the names on the list, Kieran Trippier etched his name into Atletico Madrid history, during his time in Spain.
Trippier accepted an offer from Simeone to leave Tottenham in 2019 as he took on the challenge of becoming first choice right-back for Los Rojiblancos.
His second season was disrupted by a FIFA suspension for breaching FA betting rules prior to joining Atletico Madrid, but he returned for the second half of the campaign, and played a vital role in Simeone's first league title win since 2014.
David Beckham
David Beckham's status as the world most famous soccer player took on a new level when he left Manchester United for Real Madrid in 2003 after winning six Premier League titles at Old Trafford.
He joined a Real Madrid squad in the pomp of their Galacticos era featuring Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane.
David Beckham @ Real Madrid
— My Greatest 11 (@MyGreatest11) December 21, 2023
A Few Beautiful Assists 🎯 pic.twitter.com/enDacmJ6nf
After some initial adaptation issues, Beckham's quality shone through, adding his incredible set piece delivery and passing range to a star-studded team with one La Liga title in 2007.
Steve McManaman
As Beckham arrived in Madrid, another England international was heading for the exit, as Steve McManaman moved on from the club.
McMananman remains the most successful England player in La Liga history after making a bold free transfer move to Madrid from Liverpool in 1999.
The Liverpool-born midfielder played alongside many of the same Galatico stars as Beckham, and maintained a key role, with two La Liga and two UEFA Champions League titles including a goal in the 200 final win over Valencia.
24/05/2000 | Le Real écrase Valence (3-0) et remporte la 8ème #LDC de son histoire. Golazo de Steve McManaman. pic.twitter.com/PUK925uzfT
— Real France (@realfrance_fr) May 24, 2016
Gary Lineker
Former England star Gary Lineker is more renowned for his punditry in the minds of current soccer fans but he joined Barcelona from Everton in 1986 as one of the world's most potent strikers.
Lineker netted 21 goals in 41 games during his first season in Catalonia, including a hat trick over El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, as Barcelona went on to win the Copa del Rey.
In his final season at the club, in 1988/99, he won the UEFA European Cup Winners' Cup.
