European Stage Still Home for Ex-EPL Giants David Luiz, Fabinho

Many former stars from England's Premier League are still making their mark in various European leagues, with Brazilian defender David Luiz being a prominent example of enduring talent after leaving England.

Luiz, a veteran who once played for Chelsea and Arsenal, joined Cypriot champions Pafos in 2025, following spells in Brazil with Flamengo and other European clubs. At 39 years old, he was instrumental in Pafos reaching the Champions League group stage, where they faced giants like Bayern Munich, Juventus, and his former club, Chelsea. He even scored against Monaco during that impressive run. Last season, Pafos secured a fourth-place finish, which earned them a spot in the Conference League, allowing Luiz to continue his journey in continental competitions.

Another familiar face is Fabinho, the ex-Liverpool midfielder. He returned to European football with Trabzonspor after a spell in Saudi Arabia in 2023. The 32-year-old Brazilian has been a regular for Trabzonspor in their league matches since leaving the Saudi Pro League. During his time at Anfield, Fabinho was a crucial part of Liverpool's midfield, contributing significantly to their Premier League and Champions League triumphs before his move to the Middle East.

Former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac is also active in Europe, currently with Atalanta, whom he joined in 2023 after departing from Marseille. Despite a lengthy period out due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the Bosnian international made a strong comeback and signed a new one-year deal with the Italian club in May.

Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho, at 40 years old, continues his impressive career with Braga, having left Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2023. Moutinho spent five years at Wolves, becoming a fan favourite at Molineux before returning to Portugal, where he has added a League Cup title with Braga to his accolades. His remarkable longevity is evident, boasting an incredible record of 1,156 competitive matches played throughout his career.

The continued presence of these experienced players in European football underscores how former top-flight stars can maintain high levels of activity and contribute meaningfully to clubs in various competitions, helping them compete internationally long after their EPL days. According to Planet Football on Friday, the list of players who have graced the Premier League and are still active in Europe includes:

* David Luiz – Pafos

* João Moutinho – Braga

* Fabinho – Trabzonspor

* Sead Kolašinac – Atalanta

* Marko Arnautović – Red Star Belgrade

In related football updates:

* Manchester United has reportedly fined Martínez following criticism of the club's hierarchy.

* Sor has resumed training after a six-week injury layoff.

* Onuachu found the net but unfortunately sustained an early injury in a recent match.