The top 10 oldest Premier League players ever
In the dynamic atmosphere of the Premier League, where young talent often takes center stage, there is a group of players who continue to shine brightly—those who have come a long way but still maintain their status. Alongside the rise of emerging young talents, the continued brilliance of veteran players remains an impressive story. The Premier League is not only a stage for promising young players but also a platform for the most experienced and talented older players to showcase their skills. Let’s join Kingsoccertips to find out the top 10 oldest Premier League players of all time. Even though they have reached ages like 30, 35, and 36, they continue to make significant contributions to football and their fans!
List of 10 the oldest Premier League players today
1. Thiago Silva – 39 years old
Thiago Silva, 39 years old, has set a record as the oldest player still playing in the Premier League. He joined Chelsea in August 2020, at which time he was already one of the oldest players in the league. Despite being a Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva had not won a domestic trophy with the club, but in May 2021, he helped Chelsea win the Champions League title.
Not only has Thiago Silva been successful in the Premier League, but he also has another impressive title in his career. With PSG, he won seven championships in France and one more title with AC Milan in Italy. His ability to score goals and maintain consistency has made him highly respected at Stamford Bridge, especially given his status as one of the oldest Premier League players still performing at such a high level.
The Brazilian international has proven his class while wearing the Chelsea shirt. He has kept clean sheets in 29 out of 97 matches since joining the club and has also scored 11 goals, proving that his talent extends beyond just defending.
2. Lukasz Fabianksi – 38 years old
Although Fabianski’s playing time at West Ham was relatively short, lasting only half a decade, he left a deep impression. Previously, he had been with Arsenal and Swansea City before returning to London to play for West Ham.
With 92 clean sheets in the Premier League over his career in England, Fabianski has demonstrated his class and stability as a goalkeeper. Not only was he successful at the club level, but he was also honored by being voted the Best Player in his native Poland in 2019, which reflected his respect and recognition both domestically and internationally.
3. Ashley Young – 38 years old
Ashley Young, 38, is one of Everton’s erudite full-backs and his career has contained many emotional stories on the pitch. Although most of his playing time was spent with Premier League teams, not all of his successes were within the English league.
After two seasons, 2019/20 and 2020/21, Young moved to Inter Milan—one of the biggest teams in Italy. Although his time in Italy was short-lived, he left his mark with his experience and talent. He then returned to Aston Villa for the 2021/22 season.
As one of the oldest Premier League players, Ashley Young has played in 541 matches out of nearly 700 Premier League matches since entering the football world in the early 2000s. At the same time, he also recorded 104 clean sheets and scored 57 goals in the top tournament of English football. Young’s versatility and experience have made him an icon among fans and colleagues, with a career filled with success and respect.
4. James Milner – 37 years old
James Milner, 37, made his debut for the club in the FA Cup during the 2002/03 season and continues to play to this day. What’s amazing is that he witnessed one of Arsenal’s most invincible seasons that year. Today, while most of that team’s players have retired and become coaches or pundits, Milner continues to play with undiminished stamina and strength.
Milner’s patience and fighting spirit are not only a testament to his longevity but also serve as an inspiration to young players. Milner’s former teammate at Liverpool, Andy Robertson, did not hesitate to praise his extraordinary fitness: “I don’t think I’ll ever see anyone as strong as him.”
With consistency and constant effort, Milner has built an impressive career. He ranks third on the list of appearances in Premier League history and constantly proves his mettle on the field. With endless patience and passion, Milner continues to be one of the strongest and most energetic men in football.
5. Tim Ream – 36 years old
Tim Ream, 36, is another Fulham player among the league’s oldest squad members, which is not surprising given the team’s average age. Among the oldest players to have appeared in the Premier League, Mark Schwarzer, the former Cottagers goalkeeper, is in fifth place, according to The Analyst.
Ream is the only American-born player listed among the oldest players currently in the Premier League. Brad Friedel, his compatriot, ranks fourth on the list of oldest players of all time, according to The Analyst. Ream has been with Fulham for nearly a decade, joining the club in 2015 and contributing to winning promotion to the Premier League on three separate occasions, further solidifying his place among the oldest Premier League players who continue to make a significant impact.
6. Jonny Evans – 35 years old
Jonny Evans, 35, is facing a big challenge as he tries to return to the Premier League in the 2023/24 season. After Leicester City, the team with whom he won the Premier League title, was relegated, his future in the Championship seemed to be over. However, fate brought Evans back to Old Trafford – where he had been nearly 15 years ago.
Evans’ previous tenure at Manchester United helped create an era of success. He has won the Premier League three times, one Champions League title, and two English League Cups. These achievements are not only a source of pride for Evans at Manchester United but also a testament to his esteemed contribution to the club’s history.
Despite leaving Manchester United, Evans continues to prove his worth at other clubs. He won the FA Cup with Leicester in 2021, adding to his considerable career honors. Evans’ return to Old Trafford could be an opportunity for him to continue showcasing his talent and experience in the later stages of his career.
7. Adam Lallana – 35 years old
Adam Lallana, 35 years old, is one of two Brighton & Hove Albion players listed among the Premier League veteran players. With the team’s average age now being one of the highest in the division, Lallana’s arrival has significantly increased the age of the squad but has also made a notable contribution.
Lallana has proven his worth in Brighton’s blue and white stripes, not only through creating scoring opportunities but also with his goalscoring ability. After joining Brighton from Liverpool in 2020, following a Premier League-winning spell with Liverpool, he scored a total of 33 goals and created 32 assists for his teammates in the Premier League.
Despite spending more than 10 years in England’s top football scene, Lallana still maintains stability and makes significant contributions to Brighton. With 276 appearances in the Premier League, he has become an indispensable part of the squad and a symbol of patience and bravery in English football, much like the oldest Premier League players who continue to impress with their longevity.
8. Angelo Ogbonna – 35 years old
Angelo Ogbonna, 35 years old, is one of two West Ham players appearing on the list of Premier League veteran players. West Ham is known for having the second oldest squad by average age across the league, behind only Fulham’s squad, with an average age of 28.8 years old, according to Four Four Two.
The fact that Ogbonna has been with West Ham for more than eight years may surprise some people. This Italian defender initially became famous with Juventus in his homeland. However, his time in East London also brought significant success. In particular, he helped West Ham win the Europa Conference League in the 2022/23 season and was an important part of the team’s successful journey.
Ogbonna’s consistency and contribution have made him an integral part of West Ham’s squad and have at the same time proven his worth in English football.
9. Willian – 35 years old
Willian, 35, has had a remarkable career in the Premier League spanning many years. It is worth noting that the first team he was supposed to play for in England’s top league was not Chelsea but rather Tottenham Hotspur. According to The Guardian, initially, it seemed that Willian would join Spurs, but intervention from his agent and a late offer from Chelsea changed the situation. As a result, he ended up on the green side of London.
Despite initially planning to spend the rest of his Premier League career in the English capital, Willian never moved to Tottenham. Instead, he joined Arsenal in 2020, returned to play in his hometown for a while, and then joined Fulham in the summer of 2022.
Willian’s constant movement between clubs in London has caused a stir in English football. Despite ups and downs in his career, Willian is still one of the most famous and admired Brazilian players in the history of the Premier League. His name is frequently mentioned alongside the oldest Premier League players due to his longevity and impact in the league.
10. Chris Basham – 35 years old
Chris Basham, 35, is a central defender for Sheffield United, having been closely associated with the club during their last two seasons in the Premier League. Basham joined Sheffield United as a free agent in 2014 and has since become an integral part of the squad.
Basham began his career at the academy of Bolton Wanderers before joining Sheffield United after eight years of playing professional football. During more than a decade at Bramall Lane, he participated in 3 out of the 4 top professional leagues in England.
Through the ups and downs of his career, Basham has proven his bravery and commitment to Sheffield United. He and the team went through difficult times, such as relegation in the 2016/17 season, but not long after, they returned to the Premier League, a testament to their perseverance and determination as a whole team.
Conclusion
Above are the top 10 oldest Premier League players ever that we want to share with you. In a competitive and top-notch tournament like the Premier League, seeing older players still maintain their class and strength is not only amazing but also a great source of inspiration for fans. Such older players are not only role models for their juniors but also leaders and contributors to the team’s success. Their stability and motivation are indispensable elements in every Premier League season!
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