The Championship has been home to some of the most prolific goalscorers in English football. Between 2015 and 2025, the division has seen record-breaking campaigns, promotion-defining finishes, and strikers who went on to become Premier League stars.
Fans constantly debate who ranks as the best Championship striker of all time. This list looks specifically at the last ten years, a period packed with elite forwards who left their mark on the second tier. From Teemu Pukki’s golden season with Norwich to Aleksandar Mitrovic’s record-breaking exploits, here is our countdown of the ten strikers who defined a decade of Championship firepower.
10. Teemu Pukki (Norwich City)
The Finnish striker became a cult hero at Carrow Road. His 29 goals in 2018/19 fired Norwich to promotion, while his tireless work rate and composed finishing made him one of the most effective forwards in Championship history.
9. Patrick Bamford (Middlesbrough / Leeds United)
Before his Premier League breakthrough, Bamford delivered decisive goals in the Championship. His intelligent movement and link-up play proved vital during Leeds’ promotion push under Marcelo Bielsa.
8. Nahki Wells (Huddersfield Town / QPR / Bristol City)
Wells built a reputation as one of the Championship’s most reliable forwards. Quick, instinctive and clinical, he was pivotal for Huddersfield before later hitting double figures at both QPR and Bristol City.
7. Ross McCormack (Leeds United / Fulham / Aston Villa)
At his peak, McCormack was a guaranteed source of goals. Whether leading the line at Leeds or Fulham, he consistently delivered double-figure seasons. His £12 million move to Aston Villa in 2016 highlighted his reputation as one of the league’s most valuable strikers at the time.
6. Chris Wood (Leeds United)
Wood’s physicality and instinctive finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. His 27-goal season in 2016/17 for Leeds earned him a Premier League move to Burnley, where he proved he could replicate that form at the top level.
5. Billy Sharp (Sheffield United)
Sharp was the heartbeat of Sheffield United’s rise back to the Premier League. His poaching instincts and leadership qualities made him a Blades legend, scoring at crucial moments in their promotion campaigns.
4. Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)
Solanke became the focal point of Bournemouth’s attack and a consistent scorer in the Championship. His 29 goals in 2021/22 helped secure automatic promotion, and his all-round play marked him out as one of the most complete forwards of the decade.
3. Ollie Watkins (Brentford)
Watkins scored 25 goals in 2019/20, showcasing his transformation into a prolific striker. His movement, finishing touch and aerial ability powered Brentford before earning him a Premier League and England career.
2. Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Toney broke records with 31 goals in 2020/21, guiding Brentford to promotion. A complete forward with aerial strength, composure from the penalty spot and sharp link-up play, he quickly became one of the most valuable players to emerge from the second tier.
1. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
Mitrovic’s physical dominance and ruthless finishing made him the division’s ultimate weapon. His 43 goals in 2021/22 smashed records and carried Fulham to the Premier League, underlining his status as the most feared striker the Championship has ever seen.
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