Where Are England's 2017 U17 World Cup Winners Now?

Back on October 28, 2017, England clinched their first-ever U17 World Cup title. Steve Cooper's squad impressed by winning all group matches in India and overcoming Japan, the United States, and Brazil before facing Spain in the final.

Despite falling behind 2-0 early in the final, the Young Lions fought back to win 5-2, thrilling the nation with a hungry and well-drilled team. Nine years later, these players have taken very different paths in football.

Goalkeepers

• Curtis Anderson - After helping England lift the trophy, Anderson left Manchester City to join Charlotte Independence but was released within five months. His career included short stints at Wycombe Wanderers without appearances, Walton Casuals, Eastbourne, Lancaster City, and Kendal Town before retiring in 2023 at just 23 to become a financial advisor.
• Josef Bursik - Transferred to Stoke City soon after the tournament but never played for their first team. Loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Peterborough United, and especially Lincoln City, where he was a regular starter, marked his career. In 2023, he moved to Club Brugge but did not make any appearances. He signed with Portsmouth in 2025 and is currently on loan at AFC Wimbledon for the 2026/27 season.
• Billy Crellin - Limited to one appearance during the World Cup due to Cooper’s preference for Anderson. Developed at Fleetwood Town, he played for several lower league sides including FC United of Manchester, Chorley, and Bolton Wanderers. Everton signed him in January 2022, though he only featured for their U21s. Now 26, he plays for Glentoran in Northern Ireland.

Defenders

• Steven Sessegnon - Twin brother of Ryan Sessegnon, he was influential during the tournament with two assists in five games. Made 15 appearances for Fulham in 2019/20 but struggled afterward. Joined Charlton Athletic on loan in 2022 and now plays for AFC Wimbledon in League One, not quite matching his brother’s success.
• Timothy Eyoma - Came through Tottenham Hotspur’s ranks and made his senior debut in 2019. Loaned to Lincoln City and eventually joined them permanently in 2021. He earned six caps for England U19s but was released after the 2023/24 season and now plays for Lommel SK in Belgium’s top division.
• Lewis Gibson - Found it hard to break into Everton’s first team, going on multiple loans to clubs such as Fleetwood, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, and Bristol Rovers. Moved to Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer and became a regular, making 63 appearances before joining Preston North End, where he is now a key defender. Played for England at youth levels but less frequently as he aged.
• Marc Guehi - From Chelsea’s academy, he has grown into one of the Premier League’s standout centre-backs. Debuted for England in 2022 and has earned over 40 caps. In October 2024, he set a Crystal Palace record as the first player to reach 20 England caps while representing the club. Guehi was crucial for England at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup and now plays for Manchester City.
• Jonathan Panzo - A Chelsea academy product who played for Monaco and Dijon in France before returning to Nottingham Forest in 2023. Loan spells at Coventry, Cardiff City, and Standard Liege followed. Now plays for Levadiakos F.C. in Greece. He earned 20 caps for England U17s and five at U21 level.
• Joel Latibeaudiere - Vice-captain during the tournament, playing every minute. Former Manchester City youth player, spent time on loan at FC Twente but did not impress Pep Guardiola. Later joined Swansea City under Steve Cooper and now plays for Coventry City. In 2022, he switched allegiance to Jamaica, making his unofficial debut in a 6-0 loss to Catalonia and has since accumulated 34 appearances.

Midfielder

• George McEachran - Another Chelsea youth player who won several trophies alongside the U17 World Cup. Loan spells at Dutch clubs SC Cambuur and MVV Maastricht didn’t lead to much progress. Released by Chelsea in 2022, he joined Swindon Town in 2023, making 55 appearances with two assists. Later moved to Grimsby Town and currently plays for Chesterfield in League Two.