Players with the most impressive rise from lower leagues

[abundance]

The classic italian cases are:


Angelo di Livio
Youth academy at Roma. Doesn't debut with them.
Senior career is Serie C1 and C2 from 19 to 23, then Serie B from 23 to 27.
Then he goes to Juventus and wins 3 Scudetti, 2 Coppa Italia and a Champions.


Moreno Torricelli
Amateur youth academy.
18 to 20 in Eccellenza, italian 6th level.
20 to 22 Serie D, 5th level.
Then he goes to Juventus and wins 3 Scudetti, 2 Coppa Italia, a Champions and an UEFA cup.


Salvatore Schillaci
Amateur youth academy.
From 18 to 25 he's at Messina, slowly climbing up from C2 to Serie B.
Then he goes to Juventus and in 12 months wins UEFA cup, Coppa Italia, Golden Boot and Golden Ball at '90 World Cup.
After that incredible season his form dips, will win another UEFA cup in '94 with Inter but just five years after his Serie A debut he's playing in Japan.


Fabio Grosso
Amateur youth academy.
He's a goal-scoring attacking midfielder, from 17 to to 21 plays Eccellenza, from 21 to 24 Serie D and C2.
Perugia scouts him and bring him straight to Serie A.
A few months watching from the stands, then in an injury crisis the coach converts him to left fullback and gives him a first-team shirt.
He plays 3 seasons there, then moves down to Palermo in Serie B, and gets back in Serie A with them.
The following summer he's called for WC 2006, scores the winning goal in the semis ET, the winning penalty in the final shootout, and moves to Inter where he wins the Scudetto.

 

[Karel Podolsky]

Harry Kane

 

[Pascal Quiff]

Surely Waddle is worth a mention! Amazing attacking player that was playing non-league and working at a sausage factory in the North-East, before Newcastle in the old 2nd div took a punt

 

[JPRouve]

I just remembered that Evra is a good example, he didn't go to a professional academy instead he went to Italy's lower divisions and climbed from Serie C to a CL final in 6 years.

 

[rimaldo]

Bebe.

Homeless to unforgettable Man Utd player in less than a year.

pray for maguire who’s on the opposite trajectory.

 

[pascell]

If Luca Toni is here then surely Ivan Toney deserves a mention as well. Playing in league one just two years ago and now one of the hottest strikers in the country.

Of course, there's nothing separating WC winner Luca Toni to Ivan Toney.

Only similarity is how their last names are pronounced.

 

[duffer]

Ed Mendy was clubless and unemployed at the age of 22 after being released from a 4th tier French side. Won the Champions League 6 years later.

 

[JPRouve]

Ed Mendy was clubless and unemployed at the age of 22 after being released from a 4th tier French side. Won the Champions League 6 years later.

On your team there is also Thiago Silva who has one of the strangest career for a player that ended up being arguably the best in his position for a while. He didn't really make it at the end of his youth football period and went to a regional brazilian club in the third or fourth division. It then took him a while to reach top level Football, iirc he was 26 when he joined Milan which was his first big club.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Of course, there's nothing separating WC winner Luca Toni to Ivan Toney.

Only similarity is how their last names are pronounced.

Because he was fortunate enough to be part of one of the best Italy squads?

 

[led_scholes]

Max Kilman. From Futsal-National league player until 21 to regular PL starter in 23.

Ali Dia, from a non athlete to a PL non athlete.

 

[JPRouve]

Max Kilman. From Futsal-National league player until 21 to regular PL starter in 23.

Ali Dia, from a non athlete to a PL non athlete.

That reminded me Ben Yedder who was initially a Futsal player and the first french player to be capped in Futsal and the "regular" senior national team.

 

[EngimaMK]

Of course, there's nothing separating WC winner Luca Toni to Ivan Toney.

Only similarity is how their last names are pronounced.

Cmon... Toni was a non essential part of that squad.

 

[norm87cro]

Surley Vardy? From every single league in England to Champion Fa cup winner and CL football.

 

[Mr.Plow]

Jose Holebas - Didn't turn pro until 23 yet ended up playing for Roma and Watford in the PL.

 

[wolvored]

Deli Alli for a few years. MK Dons to Spurs.

 

[USREDEVIL]

SuperiorXI

 

[SAFMUTD]

Kante.

Close thread.

 

[duffer]

Steve Finnan played in the conference, league 3, 2, 1, the Championship and the Prem, also winning the Champions League.