There are a few common features to the foursome. None of them are in the top 20 all-time Premiership scorers with Ashley Ward as low as equal 72nd at the time of writing. They were all generally less effective as they moved on (Collymore's goals with Liverpool coming over two seasons compared with a single year at Nottingham Forest). Also, all but Hughes played for Bradford in their 2000/1 relegation season but they appeared together as starters in just one, losing effort.

Collymore was the first to reach the target and was generally transferred because of disciplinary reasons or lack of team chemistry. With the greatest potential of the four in the Premiership years, he could have set a six-team record as he appeared twice as a substitute for Crystal Palace before moving to Nottingham Forest

Ward has been transferred for £8.65 million pounds in spite of being a peripheral Premiership player. Eight was the most he ever scored in a season and he may be regarded as a bit of a curse as all the teams, bar Derby, were relegated during the season he played for them

Hughes is undoubtedly the most able of the players but he was at his peak only in the first couple of Premiership seasons. Always regarded as a scorer of great goals more than a great scorer of goals, his last four strikes have taken him 90 games

Carbone has accomplished the feat rapidly - aided by the proliferation of loans. In fact, he has scored for five teams in less than three full seasons. At 30, he may yet add more to his resume

The other 'five-team' player is Don Hutchison who has scored in two seperate spells with West Ham as well as at Liverpool, Everton and Sunderland. The best bet to join the above might be Nicky Barmby a player possibly surplus to Liverpool's requirements but - still in his 20's - certainly of Premiership calibre. If he was interested in returning south, many teams would also welcome John Hartson