Who is the oldest Premier League player ever? With the new English top flight season kicking off in full this weekend, we’ve compiled all the info you need.
There are plenty of veterans in the league this season, including 39-year-olds Lukasz Fabianski and Ashley Young from West Ham United and Everton respectively, while Leicester City's 37-year-old striker Jamie Vardy also makes a return to the division.
However, these players still have a long way to go before becoming the oldest Premier League player ever…
Oldest Premier League player ever: The top 5
1. John Burridge – 43 years 162 days
The crown for the oldest Premier League player ever goes to John Burridge, who was a staggering 43 years old when he was fielded in goal for Manchester City against Queens Park Rangers in May 1995.
It was the final game of the season, and although Burridge unfortunately did not manage to keep a clean sheet, his team still won 3-2 at Maine Road.
2. Alec Chamberlain – 42 years 327 days
Just missing out on top spot is another goalkeeper in Alec Chamberlain, who played for Watford against Newcastle United in May 2007. It was another final-day appearance, as the Hornets decided to give him a proper send-off before his retirement by subbing him on in the last minute of the game.
3. Steve Ogrizovic – 42 years 237 days
Steve Ogrizovic was just 90 days younger than Chamberlain when he made his final appearance for Coventry City against Sheffield Wednesday in a Premier League clash in May 2000. It was the goalkeeper's 601st and final appearance for the Sky Blues, and he is remembered fondly by the club as he remains their record appearance-maker.
4. Brad Friedel – 42 years 176 days
Yet another goalkeeper makes the list in Brad Friedel, who was also 42 years old when he featured for Tottenham Hotspur against Newcastle United in the Premier League in November 2013. It was his only appearance for Spurs in that campaign, and the American unfortunately failed to keep a clean sheet, as Spurs lost 1-0 to the Magpies at White Hart Lane.
5. Mark Schwarzer – 42 years 159 days
Last on the list is Mark Schwarzer, who was just 17 days younger than Friedel when he made his final Premier League appearance. The Australian played for Leicester City against Hull City in March 2015, during the season before the Foxes went on to stun the entire world with a 5000/1 Premier League title triumph.
Who is the oldest outfield Premier League player ever?
The five-man list above is only made up of goalkeepers, but who is the oldest outfield Premier League player ever? That accolade currently belongs to legendary striker Teddy Sheringham, who was 40 years and 272 days old when he featured for West Ham United in a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City in December 2006.
Can any current outfield Premier League player break the record? As previously mentioned, Young is the oldest outfield player currently in the league at 39 years and 37 days old at the time of writing. He would not be able to break it until the 2025/26 campaign, should he still be playing in the top flight of course.
That’s quite a lot of mileage by any stretch, but what about the next generation? Well look no further than our lovingly-compiled list of the youngest Premier League players ever!
