Scotland is proving to be the perfect breeding ground for footballers making the move to Europe. 

Over the past five seasons, many of the league’s most exciting players have been acquisitions from outside Europe. 

Automatically, people think of the Japanese contingent who have been vital to Celtic’s recent success. 

Many will also highlight Dundee’s purchases from the Mexican market over the past couple of seasons. 

The emergence of Rangers’ deadly Moroccan forward, Hamza Igamane, is another example of a quality purchase made outside of Europe.

This recruitment analysis will assess the transfers of non-European players to Scottish Premiership clubs. 

All transfers assessed were made from the summer of 2021 to the present day. 

This article will demonstrate why some of the world’s top talents are choosing Scotland. 

Consideration of why Scottish clubs are looking beyond Europe will also be made. 

Why Are Football Players Choosing Scotland? 

There are several reasons for players outside of Europe to consider a move to England. 

The proximity to England is a massive bonus. 

Players make the move across the border into the English game every season. 

The potential to be monitored by clubs in England’s top division is a highly lucrative aspect of playing in Scotland. 

Another benefit that Scotland can boast is European football. 

Scotland had a representative in each of UEFA’s elite club competitions this season. 

Competing against some of Europe’s best teams will again open up more opportunities to be spotted by top clubs across the continent. 

Why Are Scottish Clubs Looking Beyond Europe?

It’s interesting to also consider why Scottish clubs are exploring markets outside of Europe. 

Due to Brexit, the acquisition of EU players has been more difficult for British clubs. 

Since January 2021, GBE regulations have been in effect. 

The GBE regulations put in place by the British government has made signing non-European players more viable than ever. 

Players receive points for the level of league they play in, international caps and continental club competition appearances. 

Players need a total of 15 points to qualify. 

A panel in the Scottish FA can also decide to make exemptions for players who fail to reach the required points. 

The panel will be provided with references from international managers, who will help them decide whether to grant them permission to play in Scotland. 

The points that players receive from playing in leagues outside Europe can sometimes make players from Asia and the Americas more appealing than European players. 

In the 2019/20 season, only one transfer in the Scottish Premiership involved a non-European player moving from their home country. 

Since the 2021/22 season, there has been an average of 12 transfers of players from outside of Europe moving to Scotland.

With this in mind, which countries have been the most prolific when exporting to Scotland?

From Which Countries Have Scottish Premiership Clubs Signed Non-European Players?

From this map, it’s evident which countries have provided the most players for Scottish Football. 

Australia (14) and Japan (9) have been the nation's clubs that have signed the most non-Europeans.

Celtic have utilised the non-European market the most. 

Except for Africa, The Bhoys have signed at least one player from each continent outside Europe.

Hearts have also identified a significant number of talents outside Europe. 

They have signed players from Australia (4), Japan (2), and Central America (2).

Looking at each continent, various clubs have been exploring different countries to find talent. 

Bearing this in mind, what success has each continent's players had in Scotland?

North America

Canada can lay claim to two of the most successful imports to Scotland in the past four seasons. 

Alistair Johnston has cemented himself as Celtic’s first choice right back with his excellent performances. 

Theo Bair Radar Chart 2023/24

Theo Bair has also followed the path that many making the move to Europe dream of. 

Despite only scoring one goal for St. Johnstone during the 2022/23 season, the forward secured a move to Motherwell. 

The Vancouver Whitecaps academy product scored 15 goals during the 2023/24 season. 

This helped him earn a move to Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre. 

However, transfers from the MLS haven’t always been successful for Scottish Clubs. 

Chris Mueller, José Cifuentes and Jay Chapman all failed to make the cut in Scotland. 

Outside of the MLS, Dundee have looked to utilise the Mexican market. 

Antonio Portales Radar Chart 2023/24

The impressive performances of experienced central defender Antonio Portales since moving to Dens Park has seen them make a commitment to finding talents from Liga MX. 

They announced a partnership with Monterrey, the top division side, in November. 

This has seen talents César Garza and Víctor López make moves to the Tayside club this January. 

How successful this partnership will be is yet to be determined. 

Monterrey has three players in the Mexico U20 side, so Dundee’s talent pool will be wide.

Central & South America

South America has often been the go-to place for finding football talent. 

Every transfer window, the continent's most promising players make the move to some of Europe’s biggest clubs. 

Scotland has yet to avail of this market. 

Legendary players Juninho and Cannagia made the move to the Scottish Premiership at the backend of their careers. 

However, direct imports from South America are few and far between. 

Jefté Radar Chart 2024/25

Over the past four seasons, Old Firm clubs have bought left-backs from this market. 

Rangers signed Brazilian Jefté from Fluminense in the 2024 summer window. 

Despite a shaky start, he’s beginning to find his feet. 

Celtic acquired the services of Argentine Alexandro Bernabei in June 2022. 

However, after two years, she returned to South America without ever becoming a regular in Celtic’s starting XI. 

Hearts have looked to tap into the South and Central American market outside of the Old Firm. 

This has had mixed success over the past two seasons. 

Costa Rican attacker Kenneth Vargas has played over 70 games and scored 11 goals in his first two seasons at the Edinburgh side. 

Their two signings in the summer of 2024 haven’t made anywhere near the same impact. 

Andreas Salzar, who signed on loan from Colombian club Atlético Nacional, was sent back to his parent club early after making just one appearance for Hearts. 

Costa Rica right back Gerald Taylor was signed from Deportivo Saprissa. 

Having looked impressive in preseason, Taylor picked up an injury after five appearances and is yet to return to action. 

The lack of talents who have made their way from South America leads to players and Scottish clubs believing their development in Europe is better suited elsewhere. 

However, the vast talent from the continent means there will always be players with the potential to make a difference in the Scottish Premiership.

Africa

Africa has long been an untouched market by British clubs. 

One player who’s changing this perception is Hamza Igamane. 

Hamza Igamane Radar Chart 2024/25

The Morocco u23 international signed from FAR Rabat in the summer of 2024. 

Capitalising on the poor form of Dessers and the injury-laden Danilo Pereira da Silva, he has cemented himself as Rangers’ first-choice striker. 

The 22-year-old has 16 goal contributions in 25 games. 

Dundee United and Livingston have attempted to enter the African market.

However, these moves have failed to benefit both the clubs and their players. 

Forwards, Mathew Cudjoe and Sadat Anaku had limited success for Dundee United across two seasons before leaving the club. 

Livingston FC also struggled to identify talent that could thrive in Scotland. 

South African winger Aphelele Teto was signed yet failed to gain a work permit. 

They also signed Nigeria u20 international Samson Lawl, who has struggled to earn minutes. 

Across two seasons, including a loan spell at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, he’s managed just 22 appearances. 

Despite the lack of positive examples, Igamane’s recent success will surely make Scottish clubs consider the potential talent they could discover through scouting in Africa. 

Asia 

When Ange Postecoglou joined Celtic at the beginning of the 2021/22 season from Yokohama Marinos, many would not have predicted his signings' impact. 

Through his knowledge of the Japanese market, Celtic secured the services of several of the J League’s top talents. 

Daizen Maeda Radar Chart 2023/24

Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Kyogo Furuhashi have all been regulars since arriving during Postecoglou's first season. 

The Japanese and Asian market as a whole has now become an area of interest for clubs across Britain. 

Clubs not only in Scotland but also in England have purchased Japanese players over the past few seasons. 

Scottish clubs outside of the Celtic haven’t benefited as they may have wished. 

Riku Danzaki failed to settle at Motherwell after joining at the beginning of the 2023/24 season and eventually left the club. 

Hearts also didn’t get the best out of forward Kyosuke Tagawa, who scored just two goals in 14 appearances during his sole season with the Jam Tarts. 

Yet, the success that Celtic and clubs in the EFL have had recruiting from Japan will make it a region that’s continued to be analysed by Scottish clubs. 

Australia 

Australia has long been a successful exporter to Scottish football. 

Over the past twenty years, players like Craig Moore and Tom Rogic have made an impact in the Scottish Premiership. 

With GBE regulations, Australia is another Region that’s taken priority. 

Clubs outside of the Old Firm have successfully recruited Australian players over the past four seasons. 

Cammy Devlin Radar Chart 2023/24

Arriving in the 2021/22 season, Cammy Devlin and Kyle Rowles (who signed for D.C United this January) have over 100 appearances for Heart of Midlothian. 

Lewis Miller has made 50 appearances for Hibernian and has become a regular member of the Socceroos squad.  

This isn't always the case despite many Australians who have thrived in Scotland. 

Marco Tilio signed for Celtic in the summer of 2023 from Melbourne City. 

The attacking midfielder came with a considerable reputation and was deemed one of Australia's best players. 

Disappointingly, he only managed 28 minutes for the Hoops. 

He’s now been loaned back to Melbourne City and has recently struggled with injury. 

Tilio’s signing may indicate that the Australian market proves more valuable to clubs outside the Old Firm. 

Conclusion 

It’s evident that Scottish clubs will continue to recruit from outside Europe. 

There have been obvious examples of success and many cases of players struggling to adapt to Scotland. 

Cultural differences and diverse playing styles all make Scotland a harder environment for some non-European players to adapt to.

However, GBE regulations will see this trend continue. 

There are several markets that clubs will continue to exploit, such as East Asia and Australia. 

However, areas such as Africa and South America may be untapped and could have talents ready to make the move to Scotland.