When Marcus Rashford lines up for Barcelona in their first La Liga game after the winter break, he may not be the only Englishman on the pitch. Just five years ago, Tyrhys Dolan was playing for non-league side Clitheroe. Now, at 23, he is an integral part of an Espanyol team sitting fifth in the table. On Saturday, like Rashford, Dolan will experience the intensity of the Catalan derby for the first time.
This development follows a remarkable journey marked by multiple rejections, periods without a club, and dealing with the devastating loss of his best friend to suicide. In Barcelona, the city he now calls home, Dolan reflects on these experiences. By the time he orders his coffee in Spanish, it is clear this move is about more than just adapting to a new league.
Adapting to a New Culture
“I don’t want to come here and my only takeaway being an improvement in my ability on the pitch,” Dolan says. “I want to show the supporters that I’m really interested in the culture and the language, and I actually want to connect with them, so they understand me not just as a player but also as a person.”
Dolan, from Broadheath in Greater Manchester, joined Espanyol in July after turning down a new contract at Blackburn. It was a difficult decision that ended a five-year stay at Ewood Park, where he built deep bonds with teammates, staff, and supporters. “They weren’t just colleagues,” he says. “They were family.”
The Leap to La Liga
Moving to Spain is a leap few English players take, and joining Espanyol is even rarer. The last Briton to play for the club was former Everton midfielder Adrian Heath in 1988. Dolan explains he found the club’s history interesting and was drawn to the passion of their fans, which he saw in videos his dad showed him.
“Obviously La Liga is one of the best leagues in the world,” Dolan notes. “I can’t really count how many people have gone from the Championship to La Liga. For me, that was a statement in itself—a reward for all the hard work I’ve done. I wanted to test myself against the best.”
“Espanyol spent much of last season fighting against relegation—only surviving on the final day—but things are different this time around. Dolan has featured in 16 of Espanyol’s 17 games, starting 13 of them on the wing. They have won 10 times and are fifth, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona.”
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Dolan’s self-belief is unwavering, but there is humility in the way he tells his story, shaped by a career path that has been anything but straightforward. Five years ago, he was playing seven leagues below England’s top flight after academy spells at Manchester City, Burnley, and Preston, where he signed a scholarship but did not secure a professional contract.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey,” he says. “I’m proud of all the obstacles I’ve overcome. I think it makes the outcome sweeter when you’ve had to go the harder route through non-league.”
Behind that resilience is a strong family bond, and Dolan admits leaving them was one of the hardest parts of his decision to join Espanyol. “I’m such a family person and I knew it was a big sacrifice that I had to make,” he says. “But I’m just happy that I’m making everyone proud.”
Honoring a Lost Friend
That support extends to a friendship that continues to shape him. Dolan grew up alongside Jeremy Wisten, a teammate and close friend from his academy years. Wisten struggled with injuries and was released by Manchester City, taking his own life at 18 in 2020.
“It was the most heartbreaking moment of my life,” Dolan recalls. “In Wisten’s honour, Dolan wears the number 24 at Espanyol, the date his close friend died.”
“He’s with me,” says Dolan. “He’s achieved his dream. He’s made it because he’s on the pitch just like I am.”
Wisten’s death led Dolan to become an ambassador for the Go Again charity, supporting young footballers dealing with the emotional impact of being released from academies. “What’s a few minutes of my day?” he says. “It can last a lifetime for them.”
Facing New Challenges
Life in Spain has brought new challenges for Dolan. “The knowledge you’ve got to have going on the pitch and how much you need to remember is so different,” he says. “All the set-pieces, the different routines you’ve got to do. It’s been a real eye-opener.”
Dolan has already had some unforgettable moments, such as playing at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. “A boy from Broadheath at the Bernabeu,” he says, smiling.
And now comes another landmark—the Catalan derby, one of the fiercest fixtures in Spanish football. Dolan can sense the anticipation building. “They say you feel it even in the warm-up,” he says. “It’s going to be very special.”
He will not be alone at the RCDE Stadium. His dad has been busy fielding ticket requests from friends and family. “At the minute, it’s looking like we’ve got about 25 people coming over,” he says. “Half the flight will be everyone from Broadheath—it’ll basically be a Mancunian flight!”
