England have exciting new striker, 18, who is even taller than Peter Crouch | Football | Sport

England’s new tallest striker surpasses even Peter Crouch in height despite being just 18 years old. Throughout much of his distinguished career spanning 2000 to 2019, former forward Crouch held the distinction of being amongst the nation’s tallest outfield players. Demonstrating remarkable technical ability despite his 6ft7in stature and notably slender build, the current popular podcaster and TNT Sports analyst enjoyed spells with clubs including Southampton, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City, whilst also representing England on 42 occasions.

However, until recently, a lower league player named Kyle Hudlin had assumed the title of England’s tallest striker, measuring an extraordinary 6ft9in. The 25 year old centre-forward started his career at Solihull before representing National League side Solihull Moors. Subsequently, he enjoyed loan spells at Huddersfield Town’s U21s, AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion and Newport County.

At the start of this campaign, Hudlin made a striking permanent transfer to Vietnamese top division club Nam Dinh FC.

Despite dwarfing his opponents, he has managed zero goals and one assist across five outings thus far, with his side positioned ninth in the standings.

Now that he no longer competes in England, another player has inherited Hudlin’s status as the tallest striker on domestic soil.

Meet Nelson Eze, an 18-year-old currently turning out for Ipswich Town’s under-18s. Despite his tender years, Eze already towers at a staggering 6ft9in and could potentially grow even taller.

He made the switch to Ipswich from Norwich City in 2023 and put pen to paper on his first professional contract at Portman Road in December 2024.

Eze recently enjoyed a month-long loan stint at Dartford in the Isthmian League Premier Division before returning to the Tractor Boys.

Reflecting on Eze’s debut for Dartford, manager Adrian Pennock said: “I thought he did really well. He had only met his team-mates prior to kick-off and didn’t know how we played, but we have a great dressing room.

“It was a good debut for him, especially coming on in a difficult game, but I’m sure he learnt a lot. We’re very pleased to have him on board and to be involved in a win with us straight away is a great start.”

Eze has featured in matches across the U18s Premier League, FA Youth Cup, Premier League 2 and the Premier League Cup this season.

Defenders everywhere will be praying that his growth spurt comes to an end soon, lest he hits 7ft and becomes an insurmountable aerial threat.

Despite often standing out and occasionally being teased for his height, particularly during his early years, cult hero Crouch, now 45, maintained post-retirement that he wouldn’t trade being tall for anything, given the choice.

He previously stated: “I wouldn’t change it for the world. That is me. I have always been a head above everyone else. People find it interesting, but for me it is just who I am.

“Being different and standing out is all I’ve ever known. It is easier now I’m older – but as a teenager it can be hard being different.

“I used humour as a defence mechanism. If people were going to take the piss out of me at school, I would say it funnier and quicker. That kills it stone dead.

“Being good at football helps, but having a sense of humour really helped me as a kid, so I kept doing it. But it came from using it as a shield and protection.”