Global InformationList of footballers with 500 or more Premier League appearances information
Since the Premier League's formation at the start of the 1992–93 season, 13 players have accrued 500 or more appearances in the Premier League. The first player to reach the milestone was midfielder Gary Speed, in representation of Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers; his 500th match was Bolton's 4–0 win over West Ham United on 9 December 2006.[1][2] Speed held the record for most appearances until 14 February 2009, when goalkeeper David James played his 536th match, for Portsmouth against his former team Manchester City.[3] James ended with 572 appearances, a record which was broken by Ryan Giggs on 14 May 2011, having played all of his matches for Manchester United.[4] On 25 September 2017, Gareth Barry broke Giggs' record by playing his 633rd match, West Bromwich Albion's 2–0 loss at Arsenal.[5] At the time of breaking the record, Barry ranked 8th in English top division appearances since the Second World War, trailing Giggs in 6th (672 total top division appearances) and six other players.[6][7] Barry is the youngest of the 13 players to have achieved the feat.[8]
Giggs (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher (both Liverpool) are the only three players to have achieved the accolade of 500+ Premier League appearances exclusively for one club. James Milner plays for his sixth club, which is the most of anyone in the 500 Club. Emile Heskey, David James and Milner each played for five Premier League clubs on their way to 500+ Premier League games, more than anyone else who succeeded this feat. The only player from outside the United Kingdom to play 500 Premier League games is Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, for Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea and Leicester City.[9]
Of the still active players in the Premier League, Ashley Young is closest to joining the 500 Club. The Everton defender has 449 Premier League appearances as of 26 April 2024 (20 for Watford, 210 for Aston Villa and 192 for Manchester United). Manchester City's Kyle Walker is next with 390 matches played in the Premier League.[10]
- ^ "Bolton 4-0 West Ham". BBC Sport. 9 December 2006. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ Walker, Michael (13 August 2020). "The Premier League 60: No 40, Gary Speed". The Athletic. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ Fletcher, Paul (14 February 2009). "Portsmouth 2-0 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ Smith, Ben (16 November 2012). "Rejuvenated David James sets his sights on a new landmark". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ "Gareth Barry breaks Ryan Giggs' Premier League appearance record". Sky Sports. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "Live MNF: Arsenal v West Brom". Monday Night Football. 25 September 2017. 7 minutes in. Sky. Sky Sports Main Event HD.
- ^ Includes games played in the Football League First Division between 1946 and 1992 and subsequently all games played in the Premier League.
- ^ Sandford, Daniel (10 December 2018). "Premier League players with 500 appearances ranked: Where does James Milner fit in with Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs?". TalkSport. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Schwarzer first overseas player to join 500 club". Premier League. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ "Premier League player appearances". Premier League. Retrieved 13 November 2023.