The Premier League is undoubtedly one of the most exciting leagues in the European game. Its fast pace and goals enthral millions of fans worldwide each week.
For fans, nothing is better than a promising youngster breaking into a first team. However, at the other end of the age spectrum, some older players have proven to be key players even in the twilight of their careers.
However, who are the oldest players to score a Premier League goal?
Teddy Sheringham (For West Ham vs Portsmouth, aged 40 years, eight months and 24 days)
The former England international enjoyed a top-flight career for over a decade, playing for West Ham, Tottenham, and Manchester United. In fact, he had two separate spells with Spurs.
However, Sheringham made history on Boxing Day 2006, scoring for West Ham in a 2-1 home defeat against Portsmouth. The forward was 40 years, eight months, and 24 days at the time of his goal.
Dean Windass (For Hull City vs Portsmouth, aged 39 years, seven months and 21 days)
Windass spent most of his playing career in the lower leagues, including starting his professional career with hometown club Hull City in the then-third Division.
After a long career, the forward returned for a second spell with the Tigers in 2006. In his last season with Hull, he made five Premier League appearances, scoring just one goal. That goal was scored in a 2-2 draw at Portsmouth when he was 39 years, seven months, and 21 days.
Thiago Silva (For Chelsea vs Sheffield United, aged 39 years, six months and 16 days)
The former Brazilian centre-back starred for some of European football’s biggest clubs, including Milan and PSG early in his career. He signed for Premier League Chelsea as a free agent in 2020.
The centre-back scored the eighth goal of his Blues career in April 2024, in a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United, at the age of 39 years, 06 months, and 16 days.
Ryan Giggs (For Manchester United vs QPR, aged 39 years, two months and 25 days)
The former Wales boss was the ultimate one-club man during his playing career, spending almost 25 years at Manchester United. He is one of few British players to have made over 1,000 club appearances.
Giggs scored 114 top-flight goals for United. The last of his Premier League goals came in a 2-2 draw at QPR in February 2013 when he was 39 years, 02 months and 25 days.
Stuart Pearce (For West Ham vs Southampton, aged 38 years, seven months, and one day)
The England stalwart started his career in non-league but went on to enjoy a long career in the English top flight with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, West Ham and Manchester City.
Pearce scored just two goals for the Hammers in the Premier League. His last top-flight goal was in November 2000, in a 3-2 win at Southampton. At the time, Pearce was 38 years, seven months, and one day old.
Graham Alexander (For Burnley vs Hull City, aged 38 years and six months)
He spent most of his career in the lower leagues with the likes of Scunthorpe, Luton and Preston North End. He moved to Burnley in 2007.
The Clarets reached the Premier League for the 2009/10 season, and Alexander scored seven goals in 37 appearances.
The right-back scored his final top-flight goal in a 4-1 victory at Hull City at the age of 38 years and six months.
Mark Hughes (For Blackburn Rovers vs Leicester City, aged 38 years, four months and 26 days)
The Welsh forward enjoyed an illustrious playing career, playing for some of Europe’s elite clubs, including Manchester United (twice), Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
However, towards the end of his career, Hughes became something journeyman player representing several clubs. One of the clubs Hughes featured for towards the end of his career was Blackburn Rovers.
In March 2002, Hughes, aged 38 years, four months, and 26 days, scored in a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City.
Tugay Kerimoglu (For Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth, aged 38 years, three months and six days)
The Turkish midfielder joined the north west club in 2001 and left in 2009, becoming a Rovers hero in the process.
Tugay’s final goal for Blackburn came in November 2008, at the age of 38 years, three months, and six days, in a 3-2 defeat at Portsmouth. The goal was one of only 11 Premier League goals the midfielder scored for Rovers.
Mick Harford (For Wimbledon vs West Ham, aged 38 years, one month and six days)
The forward became renowned in the English top flight for being a tough player for opposition players to face. Most of his career came in the First Division era rather than the Premier League.
Harford’s final Premier League goal came for Wimbledon in March 1997, at the age of 38, one month, and six days, during a 1-1 home draw against London rivals West Ham.
Gary Speed (For Bolton Wanderers vs Reading, aged 37 years, 11 months and 17 days)
The Welsh midfielder was an influential player in the centre of midfield for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United.
Speed’s final Premier League goal came for Bolton Wanderers in a 3-0 home win over Reading. The former Welsh international was 37 years, 11 months, and 17 days old.
Unfortunately, Gary Speed passed away in November 2011, unexpectedly.
Who is your favourite player from our list?