With the introduction of improved performance training, recovery techniques, and strict dietary regimes, football players have achieved higher levels of fitness. As a result, unlike in the past, many modern footballers are now able to play well into their late 30s. Goalkeeper is the one position where players can play longer due to far less movement on the pitch as compared to the outfield players.
In this article, we take a look at the ten oldest players in the league who have played at least one game either in the PL, EFL Cup or the FA Cup for their respective clubs.
P.S. The age mentioned in the title is the current age of the player and the stats have been taken from the transfermarkt.co.in website.
Norberto Murato Neto popularly known as Neto is a Brazilian goalkeeper that plays as a second-choice goalkeeper for the Gunners. The 35-year-old joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from AFC Bournemouth in August 2024.
However, before joining the Gunners, Neto played two Premier League games for the Cherries against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United before his transfer on Summer Transfer deadline day. Both games ended in a 1-1 draw.
Neto hasn’t been able to get game time for Arsenal as David Raya is their first-choice keeper. He recently made his debut for Arsenal in the Champions League on 29th Jan 2025 in a 2-1 win against Spanish club Girona.
Martin Dúbravka is a Slovakian footballer who plays as a second-choice goalkeeper for Newcastle United behind Nick Pope. Dúbravka joined Newcastle in January 2018 from Sparta Prague on a season long loan move with an option to buy in the following summer.
Dúbravka has appeared in a total of 14 games for the Magpies this season including the Premier League, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup and has kept eight clean sheets also helping his side to an EFL Cup Final.
There are rumours that the 35-year-old wants a move away from St. James’s Park after this season for more regular playing time while the Magpies would not want to let go of a reliable and top-class second-choice goalkeeper.
Séamus Coleman is an Irish right-back who has been playing for the Toffees since 2009. He went on a season long loan to Blackpool in March 2010 but since his return in Aug 2010, Coleman has been one of the most influential players for the Merseyside Blues. Club Captain since 2019, Coleman signed a new one-year extension in May 2024 that will keep him at Everton till the end of June 2025.
Coleman has been limited to four appearances for Everton this season including three PL games and 1 EFL Cup game due to recurrent injury issues. Upon the sacking of former Everton boss Sean Dyche, Coleman along with Leighton Baines was assigned as the Interim Manager for their FA Cup game against Peterborough United.
With Nathan Patterson getting more regular play-time and the Irish veteran becoming more injury-prone, it remains to be seen if Everton offer him another extension or let their club captain leave in the summer.
A former Southampton academy player who joined the Saints as a 12-year-old in 2000, Adam Lallana returned to his home club in June 2024 on a one-year deal on a free transfer. Lallana has played at other PL clubs like Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion before making his way back to the Saints.
The English attacking midfielder has played 17 games for the Saints this season including 13 PL games, 1 FA Cup and 3 EFL Cup games.
Dubbed as a very talented player, Lallana’s career has been unfortunately marred with serious injuries which prevented him from showing his true potential. However, he has won major honours in his career and can still impact games with his creativity.
Fraser Forster is an English goalkeeper who plays as second-choice goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur behind Guglielmo Vicario. Forster is a Premier League veteran who has played at several English clubs like Newcastle United, Norwich City and Southampton before joining Spurs in July 2022 on a two-year contract.
Due to long-term injury to Spurs keeper Vicario, Forster got the opportunity to get play-time for Spurs this season. Forster has featured in a total of 13 appearances for the London club including 7 PL games, 4 Europa League games and 2 EFL Cup games in which he has only managed to keep two clean sheets due to Spurs defensive issues.
Since then, he has been replaced by Antonín Kinský in goal and it seems Forster might not get more games this season.
English defender Johnny Evans has been at Manchester United since he was nine-years-old. He rose through the United academy to make his senior debut in 2007 against Coventry City in the league cup. Having made 131 appearances for United, he moved away from the Red Devils in 2015 playing for West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City before returning to his home club in 2023.
This season, Evans has made 12 appearances for the Red Devils so far including six PL games, three EFL Cup games, 2 Europa League games and one Community Shield game also scoring 1 goal in the EFL Cup Quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur in a 4-3 loss.
The 37-year-old defender has definitely lost pace and is more injury-prone now but every time he is called upon to perform, he gives it his all for his club.
English striker Jamie Vardy is a Leicester City veteran, having been with the Foxes since 2012 and made 487 appearances for the Foxes contributing with a massive 198 goals. Vardy helped Leicester City to a Premier League and an FA Cup trophy in his tenure and even though many offers from top clubs arrived, the English veteran has stayed loyal to his club.
After getting promoted from the Championship in 2024, Vardy has played in 23 games for the Foxes, scoring 8 goals and bagging 3 assists.
The English veteran may have lost his pace but he is still a lethal striker coupled with incredible game intelligence and awareness. If the Foxes are to remain in top-flight next season, Vardy could still play a massive role for them.
English midfielder James Milner was one of the top English talents in his early days. Coming through the ranks of Leeds United, the English veteran has been to many top Premier League including Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool before moving to Brighton in 2023 on a free transfer. In his stint with City and Liverpool, Milner won all club honours including Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League cup, Club World Cup titles.
So far this season, the 39-year-old hasn’t featured much, playing only 3 Premier League games under new coach Fabian Hürzeler as opposed to former coach Roberto de Zerbi who played him more often due to his versatility to play in midfield, defense and on the wings.
Having made 637 PL appearances, Milner’s longevity is a testament to his skill, fitness, perseverance, professionalism and discipline. Even at the cusp of his retirement, the Englishman is a tough character who still does the job with the minimum of fuss.
Ashley Young is yet another Premier League player who has defied age and is still going strong in his late 30’s. Young has played as a full-back for Premier league clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester United before moving to his current club Everton. He has won major honours – a PL, an FA Cup, an EFL Cup and a Europa League title with United during his decade long stint at Old Trafford. He signed a contract with the Toffees in July 2023 on a one-year contract which was further extended for another year in 2024.
Still managing to stay fit, the 39-year-old has played a total of 23 games for Everton scoring a goal and bagging three assists so far.
Young has made a massive 595 Premier League appearances in his career so far and while still managing his fitness, he is another inspiration for young defenders to emulate for longevity in football.
?ukasz Fabia?ski is a Polish goalkeeper who has been playing in the English Premier League since 2007. He has played with Arsenal and Swansea City before joining current club West Ham United in 2018. He has also won a UEFA Conference League Cup with the Hammers in 2023. Fabia?ski has made a massive 375 Premier League appearances since joining Arsenal in 2007.
Fabia?ski is still a top-class goalkeeper who has played 16 games for the Hammers this season, keeping four clean sheets.
With the Hammers struggling in the league, Fabia?ski has still made massive saves in important games to keep them in the game. If the Hammers are to improve their position in the league table, the Polish goalkeeper could still play a big role for Graham Potter’s men.
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