Sam Surridge: the Englishman in Nashville
Ahead of the climax of the Major League Soccer season, ex-Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge retains an outside chance of winning the MLS Golden Boot, potentially pipping Lionel Messi to the award.
Surridge, 27, has been thriving in America's Deep South for Nashville SC, despite not being a fan of southern fried chicken or country music, saying
"I've sort of had to like it". He has struggled with the food, finding it difficult to adjust to the abundance of fried dishes and missing foods from back home.
Surridge has found ways to cope,
"I get my Heinz baked beans shipped over, or a family member brings 'em out". After coming through the ranks at Bournemouth, he had brief stints in regular Premier League football at Bournemouth (2018-19) and Nottingham Forest (2022-23).
Author's summary: Sam Surridge thrives in Nashville despite cultural differences.
- Age: 27
- Team: Nashville SC
- League: Major League Soccer (MLS)