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The journeymen

George Best, Roberto Carlos, Didier Drogba… football’s most-travelled stars based on their transfer history

WHEN it comes to modern football, it's no surprise to see players logging plenty of air-miles when it comes to joining a new club.

However, it's the stars of yesteryear who dominate proceedings when it comes to the most-travelled footballers of all time, based on their transfer history.

 Lutz Pfannenstiel is the most well-travelled footballer of all-time
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Lutz Pfannenstiel is the most well-travelled footballer of all-timeCredit: PA:Press Association
 Legend George Best comes in second based on transfer distance
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Legend George Best comes in second based on transfer distanceCredit: PA:Empics Sport

When you add the miles travelled between each club throughout a player's career, according to data from , it's former Premier League goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel who comes out top.

The German-born stopper, 44, logged an astonishing 145,591miles at no fewer than 25 clubs, from England and Germany to Malaysia, Canada and New Zealand.

Northern Ireland and Manchester United legend George Best comes in second place after racking up 95,443miles across 18 clubs.

As well as playing for over a decade at Old Trafford, Best also had spells in Ireland, the US, Scotland, Hong Kong and Australia, to name a few.

Middlesbrough and Brazil hero Juninho also breaks into the top five, as he journeyed 47,521miles during his nine-club career.

He featured in a host of countries from England and Brazil, to Australia and Spain.

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 David Trezeguet is one of football's biggest travellers according to transfers
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David Trezeguet is one of football's biggest travellers according to transfersCredit: Reuters
 Mile Jedinak is one of the highest active players on the list
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Mile Jedinak is one of the highest active players on the listCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 Alexis Sanchez could be set to add to his already high mileage this summer
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Alexis Sanchez could be set to add to his already high mileage this summerCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Another Brazilian icon, Rivaldo, cracks the top ten, logging 38,582miles at 14 clubs, including Barcelona, AC Milan, Olympiakos and Sao Paulo.

Big names including Hugo Sanchez, Jose Luis Chilavert and David Trezeguet also rank highly, with current Aston Villa man Mile Jedinak coming in 14th on 31,773miles.

The Australian has played not only in his home country and in England, but also Turkey and Croatia.

Roger Milla, Roberto Carlos and Trevor Benjamin all crack the top 20, before some huge names round-out our list.

 Ronaldinho has unsurprisingly broken into the top 25 on the list
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Ronaldinho has unsurprisingly broken into the top 25 on the listCredit: AFP
 Chelsea icon Didier Drogba's transfers see him break the top 25
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Chelsea icon Didier Drogba's transfers see him break the top 25Credit: EPA
 Journeyman Nicolas Anelka is another player to crack the top 25
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Journeyman Nicolas Anelka is another player to crack the top 25Credit: PA:Press Association

Brazil star Ronaldinho comes in No21 as through his eight-club career, he's logged 22,884miles - at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Gremio, AC Milan and Fluminese to name a few.

Wantaway Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez could be adding to his transfer mileage this summer, after already racking up 22,426miles.

The Manchester City and PSG target has already turned out for the Gunners, as well as Udinese and Barcelona, as well as a few sides in South America.

Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba complete the list with 22,322miles and 19,035miles through their careers respectively.



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