From the EFL to the Premier League: How stars like Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane rose to the top

By Josh Page

The English Football League has long provided the foundation for players to develop before stepping up to the Premier League.

Many of today’s top-flight stars honed their skills in the EFL, learning the physical and tactical demands of senior football before stepping onto one of the biggest stages of world football.

Here is a look at several stand-out players who worked their way through the EFL, and how their time in the lower leagues helped shape their careers.

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Antoine Semenyo

Antione Semenyo’s rise to the Premier League came through his development at Bristol City in the Championship.

After early loan spells with Newport County and Sunderland, Semenyo established himself as a powerful and direct forward in the EFL.

His pace, strength and ability to carry the ball made him a constant threat, attracting attention from top-flight clubs.

That form earned him a move to the Premier League with Bournemouth, where he continued to develop into a dynamic attacking player, becoming one of the highest-performing forwards in the league.

Jarrod Bowen

Jarrod Bowen’s time at Hull City in the Championship was instrumental in his rise to the top-flight.

Bowen became one of the most prolific attackers in the division during his time at Hull, consistently delivering goals and assists from the wing. His sharp movement and finishing ability made him one of the standout performers in the EFL during his time there.

That form continued after Hull’s promotion to the Premier League, which earned him a move to West Ham, where he has since become club captain, alongside an England international.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy’s climb through the EFL is still one of the most remarkable stories in English football.

After impressing in Non-League football, Vardy got a £1 million move to Fleetwood Town before joining Leicester City in the Championship.

His relentless pace and pressing ability made him a nightmare for defenders, playing a key role in Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League.

His experience in the EFL laid the foundation for a career that would lead him to reach the pinnacle of English football, which would later include a Premier League title and a Golden Boot.

Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze established himself as one of the Championship’s most exciting young talents during his time at Queens Park Rangers.

Eze’s technical ability, dribbling and creativity made him a standout player during his time in the EFL.

He regularly dictated games and produced moments of quality that made him stand out amongst his fellow competitors.

His performances earned him a move to Crystal Palace, where he was a catalyst during their 2024/25 FA Cup run, which saw the London side win the first major honour in the club’s history.

Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins’ rise came through his time in multiple divisions with Exeter City before moving to Brentford, where he played an integral part in the club’s first promotion to the Premier League.

After converting from a winger into a striker, Watkins became one of the league’s most consistent goal scorers.

His movement, work rate and finishing ability made him a complete forward at the EFL level.

That form led to a Premier League move with Aston Villa, where he continued to develop into a top-level forward, earning a place in the 2024 European Championship squad.

Harry Kane

Before becoming one of the world’s leading strikers, Harry Kane gained crucial experience through multiple loan spells in the EFL.

Although Kane’s moves with Leyton Orient, Millwall and Leicester City weren’t fruitful in terms of goals, it was crucial for learning the physical demands of senior football.

These spells helped develop his movement and holdup play, two major skills the forwards continue to utilise at the top-level to this day.

His experience proved vital in shaping the player who would later become the all-time top scorer for England with 78 goals in 112 appearances.

Why the EFL remains crucial

The journeys of these players and their time in the EFL highlight the importance of the Football League and its role in developing young talent.

The EFL provide:

• Regular first-team football

• Physical and tactical challenges

• Opportunities for young players to grow under pressure

For many players, it is the proving ground that prepares them for the top level of the sport.

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