Forgotten Former Premier League Star Leading the Way as England's Top Scorer in Europe This Season

Published on: 09 February 2017

Not Harry Kane, not Jermain Defoe. No... the leading English goalscorer in Europe so far this season is none other than Matt Derbyshire.


'Who?' you may be asking. For those who've forgotten - or those who never knew about him in the first place - Derbyshire appeared briefly in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, and most recently turned out in the Championship for Rotherham United.


Having experienced spells withPlymouth Argyle, Wrexham, Olympiacos, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City, Oldham Athletic andBlackpool, Derbyshire now plays for Cypriot First Division sideOmonia Nicosia.

While he was never particularly prolific in his homeland, it seems that he has found a place in an entirely different environment.


The 30-year-old forward has so far found the net 18 times in just 20 league games, and two goals in the Europa League havetaken his total to 20 goals in all competitions.

An impressive return, certainly, although it's doubtful that Gareth Southgate will be making a flight out to Cyprus any time soon.


"The stats say I am in the best form of my life," Derbyshire toldthe Daily Mailin a recent interview.


"I loved playing in England but when Omonia came in I jumped at the chance. I'd played in Greece before and knew the lifestyle would be great. And the standard of football is better than people think as well. It's given me a new lease of life."

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