Fifteen of the Premier League’s longest serving players.
There’s a lot to be said for one club men as the rest of the game spirals out of control. Big money moves often tempt otherwise content players elsewhere and the less said about relegated clubs lightening the load by moving on key men the better. However, there are a select few that have managed to stay loyal to one club, and below are the 15 longest serving stars currently at Premier League clubs.
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15. Michael Carrick – Manchester United
Joined: 2006 (eight years)
The England international joined the Red Devils after two solid years with Tottenham that saw him become more of a regular fixture in the England side. Always seems to survive the cull at Old Trafford.
14. Benoit Assou-Ekoto – Tottenham Hotspur
Joined: 2006 (eight years)
The 30-year-old joined Spurs from Lens in France where he had been making a name for himself as a hot young prospect. Save for a year on loan with QPR last term, the Cameroonian international has been loyal to Tottenham, though that could change in the new year after he wasn’t even registered to play by new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
13. Aaron Lennon – Tottenham Hotspur
Joined: 2005 (nine years)
Another Spurs star to stick around at the club, Lennon made his way to White Heart Lane when the talented young Leeds team were relegated in 2005. He’s become an England international during his time there, but injuries have often blighted his progress.
12. Gabriel Agbonlahor – Aston Villa
Joined: 2005 (nine years)
The Birmingham local was a product of the club’s prolific youth academy and has stayed with the side despite numerous flirtations with relegation and interest from the likes of Arsenal and Man United earlier on in his career. Having just recently penned a new four-year deal with the Villans, he could well end his career there.
11. Julian Speroni – Crystal Palace
Joined: 2004 (ten years)
The Argentine stopper is highly-rated at Selhurst Park, and his performances last term helped keep the club in the division. He was released and resigned this summer, but only for one more year.
10. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Joined: 2004 (ten years)
Having exploded on to the scene with Everton, the England skipper was quickly snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson and he has gone on to experience it all ever since. From hero to villain and back again, it is safe to say there are a few more twists in the tale yet.
9. Mark Noble – West Ham United
Joined: 2004 (ten years)
Noble is one of the few Hammers academy products that didn’t get away, and has instead stayed and built hi meld a cult following amongst the fans despite his limitations.
8. Petr Cech – Chelsea
Joined: 2004 (ten years)
Cech came and made the number one spot his own as a youngster and has held it ever since. However, this season he has lost his place to Belgian international Thibault Courtois and could end his decade long association with the side in January.
7. Alan Tate – Swansea City
Joined: 2002 (12 years)
The former Manchester United academy graduate endured several loan spells with smaller clubs before landing in south Wales. However, after 12 years he has been farmed out several times by the Swans too, as he now enters the twilight of his career.
6. Leon Osman – Everton
Joined: 2002 (12 years)
Now 33, Osman has spent his entire career at Goodison Park save for two loan spells as a youngster with Derby and Carlisle. His consistent form and loyalty were rewarded in 2012 when he earned his two and only England caps.
5. Darren Fletcher – Manchester United
Joined: 2002
Fletcher made his way through the famed United youth system to make his debut back in 2002, and has remained a key part of the side over the past 12 years. A bout of ulcerative colitis put a temporary halt to his career over the last two years, but he has since returned as strong as ever.
4. Andy Wilkinson – Stoke City
Joined: 2001 (13 years)
The right-back is Staffordshire born and bred and spent his entire career with the Potters apart from a few loan spells in Scotland and the lower leagues of England. Still there, though is clearly second choice behind Phil Bardsley now.
3. Tony Hibbert – Everton
Joined: 2000 (14 years)
Hibbert has often been a figure of derision to non-Toffees fans, but he’s obviously done enough to earn a prolonged stay at Goodison Park for the past 14 years. Rarely been a first choice, but he’s always performed when called upon.
2. John Terry – Chelsea
Joined: 1998 (16 years)
Having been picked up from West Ham’s academy as a teenager, the future England skipper made his debut in the late ’90s and it was clear then that he was a class apart. Still there, though this could be his last stand before moving on overseas.
1. Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
Joined: 1998 (16 years)
Another future England skipper, Gerrard has been a Liverpool icon since day one and has set the bar high for future generations coming through the youth ranks. Came close to leaving for Chelsea a few years ago, but decided to remain loyal. It was hard not to feel for him after last season’s slip.
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