The Premier League is one of the fastest and most physically demanding football competitions in the world. While young players often grab the headlines, some experienced stars have proved that age does not necessarily prevent a player from making an impact at the highest level.
A select group have continued scoring Premier League goals deep into their 30s, while one legendary striker even found the net after celebrating his 40th birthday.
From Teddy Sheringham and Ryan Giggs to more recent names such as James Milner and Jamie Vardy, we look at the oldest goalscorers in Premier League history and the remarkable longevity behind their achievements.
Football fans can also follow Premier League odds, fixtures and football betting markets throughout the season with NetBet Sport.
Who Is the Oldest Goalscorer in Premier League History?
Teddy Sheringham holds the record as the oldest player to score a Premier League goal.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United striker was 40 years and 268 days old when he scored for West Ham United against Portsmouth on Boxing Day 2006. He remains the only player to score in the competition after reaching his 40th birthday.
Sheringham’s record is particularly impressive because he played as a forward, a position where speed, movement and sharpness are traditionally considered vital.
However, Sheringham’s game was never built entirely around pace. His intelligent positioning, first touch and ability to anticipate what was happening around him helped him remain effective long after many of his contemporaries had retired.
Top 10 Oldest Premier League Goalscorers
The oldest goalscorers in Premier League history are:
| Rank | Player | Age |
| 1 | Teddy Sheringham | 40 years, 268 days |
| 2 | James Milner | 39 years, 239 days |
| 3 | Dean Windass | 39 years, 235 days |
| 4 | Thiago Silva | 39 years, 198 days |
| 5 | Ashley Young | 39 years, 148 days |
| 6 | Ryan Giggs | 39 years, 86 days |
| 7 | Stuart Pearce | 38 years, 215 days |
| 8 | Graham Alexander | 38 years, 182 days |
| 9 | Mark Hughes | 38 years, 149 days |
| 10 | Jamie Vardy | 38 years, 112 days |
James Milner moved into second place on the list after scoring for Brighton against Manchester City in August 2025.
1. Teddy Sheringham
Sheringham enjoyed one of the longest careers of any English forward of the modern era.
He played for Tottenham, Manchester United, Portsmouth and West Ham during his Premier League career, combining goalscoring ability with outstanding awareness and creativity.
His achievements included winning three Premier League titles with Manchester United and finishing as the competition’s leading scorer during its inaugural 1992/93 season. He eventually accumulated 146 Premier League goals.
Sheringham was approaching his 41st birthday when he scored his final Premier League goal for West Ham against Portsmouth in December 2006.
He also holds another age-related record. At 37 years and 146 days, Sheringham became the oldest player to score a Premier League hat-trick when he struck three times for Portsmouth against Bolton Wanderers in 2003.
2. James Milner
Few players can match James Milner when it comes to Premier League longevity.
Milner first appeared in the competition with Leeds United as a teenager before representing Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion.
In August 2025, he scored a penalty for Brighton against former club Manchester City at the age of 39 years and 239 days. That moved him above Dean Windass and into second place among the oldest Premier League goalscorers. It also made Milner the competition’s oldest penalty scorer.
Remarkably, more than 22 years separated his first and most recent Premier League goals.
His adaptability has been crucial to that longevity. Milner has operated as a winger, central midfielder and full-back during his career, while his fitness and professionalism have allowed him to remain competitive across multiple Premier League eras.
3. Dean Windass
Dean Windass occupies third place after scoring for Hull City against Portsmouth in November 2008.
He was 39 years and 235 days old at the time.
Windass had already secured his place in Hull folklore after scoring the spectacular winning goal in the 2008 Championship play-off final against Bristol City, sending the club into the Premier League for the first time.
His subsequent Premier League goal demonstrated the enduring finishing ability of a striker who had spent much of his career in the English Football League.
4. Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva arrived at Chelsea in 2020 after already enjoying a distinguished career at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Despite joining the Premier League in his mid-30s, the Brazilian defender quickly demonstrated that his reading of the game and positional intelligence remained exceptional.
Silva scored against Sheffield United in April 2024 at the age of 39 years and 198 days, placing him among the oldest Premier League goalscorers ever.
His longevity showed that experienced defenders can continue competing at an elite level even after losing some of the physical advantages they possessed earlier in their careers.
5. Ashley Young
Ashley Young’s career changed considerably over the years.
Initially known as an attacking winger, Young gradually moved into deeper positions and successfully extended his career as a full-back.
After spells with clubs including Aston Villa and Manchester United, he continued playing Premier League football with Everton.
In December 2024, Young opened the scoring in Everton’s 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers with a free-kick. At 39 years and 148 days, he became one of the five oldest scorers in Premier League history. It was also his 50th goal in the competition.
Other Veteran Premier League Goalscorers
Ryan Giggs is another famous name on the list. The Manchester United legend was 39 years and 86 days old when he scored against Queens Park Rangers in February 2013. Giggs remained a valuable member of United’s squad long after many players from his generation had retired.
Former England defender Stuart Pearce scored in the Premier League at 38 years and 215 days, while Burnley’s Graham Alexander was 38 years and 182 days when he found the net.
Mark Hughes, another Manchester United great, scored at 38 years and 149 days.
Jamie Vardy completes the top ten. The Leicester City striker was 38 years and 112 days old when he scored against Southampton in May 2025. Vardy’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy given the speed and explosive movement that characterised so much of his career.
Why Can Some Players Keep Scoring at an Advanced Age?
Modern footballers have access to significantly more sophisticated sports science, recovery programmes and nutritional support than players from previous generations.
Those improvements can help prolong careers, but physical conditioning alone does not explain why certain players continue performing into their late 30s.
Experience becomes increasingly important. Veteran players often understand where space is likely to appear before it develops, allowing them to compensate for any loss of pace.
Many also adapt their roles. Young moved from winger to full-back, while Milner’s versatility has allowed him to contribute across several positions.
Sheringham perhaps provides the clearest example. His intelligence, positioning and technique were central to his style throughout his career, meaning he could remain effective without relying heavily on speed.
Experience Can Still Make the Difference
The Premier League’s oldest goalscorers show that there is no single formula for footballing longevity.
The list includes strikers, midfielders and defenders from different generations, ranging from Manchester United legends such as Sheringham and Giggs to modern veterans including Milner and Vardy.
Sheringham’s record remains the benchmark. Scoring a Premier League goal at 40 years and 268 days is an extraordinary achievement, and one that has stood since 2006.
Milner has come closest, with his Brighton goal at 39 placing him second on the all-time list and underlining a top-flight career spanning more than two decades.
For more records, legendary players and memorable moments from the English game, check out our other football blogs.
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