Where England’s 2017 U17 World Cup winners are now: from Foden to forgotten names

October 29, 2025 Kris Isaksen

In 2017, England’s U17 squad made history by winning the FIFA U17 World Cup in stunning fashion. Fast forward to 2025, and their careers have taken wildly different paths. From Premier League stars to free agents, here’s a look at what became of the Young Lions, starting with the forwards and working our way back through the squad.

Danny Loader: new name, new nation, but still chasing success

Now known as Danny Namaso, the forward only featured twice in the tournament but has gone on quite the journey since. After leaving Reading, he joined FC Porto, struggled for minutes, and is now on loan at AJ Auxerre, representing Cameroon at international level with five caps to date.

Rhian Brewster: early promise, ongoing struggles

Tipped as a future England star, Brewster's £23.5m move from Liverpool to Sheffield United didn’t pan out. He has since moved to Derby County but remains a fringe figure, with just nine goals in 119 career appearances.

Conor Gallagher: west London to Madrid

After showing signs of promise during loan spells and under Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, Gallagher made a bold move to Atlético Madrid. He now plays under Diego Simeone after being deemed surplus to requirements under new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Morgan Gibbs-White: Forest’s £42m star

Once on the fringes at Wolves, Gibbs-White blossomed after joining Nottingham Forest in a record deal. Now a key player under Lee Carsley’s England setup, he’s featured in all nine of Forest’s league matches this season.

Emile Smith Rowe: flashes of brilliance, but fading

Smith Rowe looked like a future Arsenal star after a strong 2021/22 season but struggled for minutes in the years that followed. Now at Fulham, he’s used mainly off the bench and is still searching for a consistent run of form.

Callum Hudson-Odoi: revival at the City Ground

After bursting onto the scene with Chelsea, Hudson-Odoi’s career hit turbulence before being rejuvenated at Nottingham Forest. He remains a regular starter despite the club’s internal instability and growing competition on the wings.

Nya Kirby: back home, back to basics

Kirby, once part of Palace’s setup, struggled to find his feet in senior football and now plays for AFC Croydon Athletic. His journey has taken him from top academies to non-league football as he searches for stability.

Jadon Sancho: redemption slipping further away

Sancho’s high-profile £73m move to Manchester United turned sour, culminating in a fallout with Erik ten Hag. Now on loan at Aston Villa, he's struggling to make an impact and recently endured the humiliation of being subbed off after coming on.

Angel Gomes: thriving in France after United exit

After leaving Manchester United in 2020, Gomes found success at Lille and now plays for Marseille. A key part of England’s U21s, he followed Lee Carsley into the senior setup and remains a standout in Ligue 1.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe: Scotland offers a new chapter

Oakley-Boothe didn’t break through at Spurs or Stoke but has found a new opportunity at Dunfermline Athletic. While he never made it past the U18s for England, he continues to ply his trade in the Scottish leagues.

Phil Foden: the crown jewel of the class of 2017

Foden has become a global superstar with Manchester City, winning Player of the Season in 2023/24. Despite a dip in form with England, he remains one of the world’s most technically gifted midfielders and a vital part of City’s dominance.

George McEachran: finding rhythm in League Two

After failing to make a senior appearance for Chelsea, McEachran rebuilt his career at Swindon and now plays for Grimsby Town. He played a key role in their League Cup upset over Manchester United this season.

Joel Latibeaudiere: from City prospect to Jamaican regular

Once vice-captain under Cooper, Latibeaudiere now plays for Coventry City and represents Jamaica at international level. After spells in the Netherlands and Wales, he has established himself as a dependable defender.

Jonathan Panzo: from Cobham to continental journeyman

Panzo started at Chelsea and spent time in France and Belgium before landing at Rio Ave in Portugal. Despite early hype, he’s still trying to fulfill the potential shown during his U17 days.

Marc Guehi: leading the line for club and country

One of the tournament’s biggest success stories, Guehi is now Crystal Palace’s defensive leader and has earned 25 England caps. His performances at Euro 2024 confirmed his place among the Three Lions' elite defenders.

Lewis Gibson: settling at Preston after loan carousel

Gibson couldn’t break through at Everton but found stability at Preston North End. A regular in the Championship, he’s finally living up to some of the promise he showed in his youth days.

Timothy Eyoma: Belgium the latest chapter in his journey

After a promising start at Spurs, Eyoma played regularly for Lincoln before moving to Belgium's Lommel SK. While he’s drifted from England's national teams, he’s still playing consistently at club level.

Steven Sessegnon: living in his brother’s shadow

The Fulham academy product now plays for Wigan Athletic but hasn’t matched the trajectory of his twin, Ryan. Despite playing five games and assisting twice during the World Cup run, his career has largely stalled.

Billy Crellin: once a prospect, now without a club

Crellin's move to Everton didn’t yield first-team action and he’s since been released. Now without a club, the former Fleetwood keeper’s future in professional football remains uncertain.

Josef Bursik: from Stoke hopeful to Portsmouth starter

Bursik had a promising spell at Lincoln and is now rebuilding his career at Portsmouth after stints in Belgium and Scotland. Though he never cemented a Premier League role, he remains active in England's lower leagues.

Curtis Anderson: the journeyman between the sticks

Anderson was vital in England’s World Cup win but couldn’t kick on at club level. Now with Kendal Town in the North West Counties Premier League, his career has taken a humble turn from Manchester City hopeful to non-league keeper.