Top 10 longest-serving players featuring in Premier League 2023-24

A look at some of the senior players in Premier League teams

In today's day and age, loyalty is a hard thing to come by in football. Players opt to change clubs for money or titles and it's difficult to find a player willing to stay with a club for more than five years. Premier League footballers are often accused of showing no loyalty to a club, but there are a few exceptions to that rule.

A few players have been at their current Premier League club for close to or even more than a decade. Some examples of this include players like Ryan Giggs and Steven Gerrard, both of whom spent their entire careers at a single club.

Here are the top ten players in the Premier League who have been a loyal servant to the club:

10. Luke Shaw (Manchester United) - 9 Years 3 Months

Shaw joined Manchester United from Southampton in a £27million deal in the summer of 2014 and endured a difficult start to his Old Trafford career. Ever since bursting onto the scene at Southampton at the age of 17, many tipped Luke Shaw to be the next big thing after Bale’s astronomic rise from the academy. Both are technically gifted as well as blessed with blistering pace from a young. Everything from his youth appeared to point Shaw to be the legitimate heir to his idol Ashley Cole in England’s starting line-up one day. But he’s turned things around in recent years, becoming one of the first names on United’s teamsheet and establishing himself as one of the best left-backs in the world.

9. Chris Basham (Sheffield United) - 9 Years 3 Months

Since joining Sheffield United on a free transfer from Blackpool in 2014, Basham has made over 350 appearances for the Blades and also has three promotions to his name. He signed a two-year contract extension in 2022 and will bring up a decade of service at Bramall Lane at the end of the 2023/24 season. He is a fan favourite and would like to spend more years at the club.

8. Marek Rodak (Fulham) - 9 Years 3 Months

Rodák made his Fulham debut in a League Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers on 8 August 2017. Rodák made his Premier League debut on 12 September 2020 in a 0–3 loss to Arsenal in the first round of the 2020–21 season. The Slovakian International has spent most of its time on loan in other clubs. He is someone who has played in the second, third, fourth and fifth tier of the English football system and still is under contract with Fulham.

7. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town) - 9 Years 8 Months

Mpanzu joined the Hatters when they were playing in the National League in 2013/14 and has been a key figure in their rise through the leagues. After Luton won the 2023 Championship play-off final, he became the first player in history to win promotion from the fifth tier to the Premier League with the same club. Mpanzu has been described as a powerful box-to-box midfielder with endless energy. He is a club legend and would like to spend more years with the club.

6. Adam Smith (Bournemouth) - 9 Years 8 Months

The right-back left Spurs for Bournemouth in 2014, having earlier enjoyed a stint there on loan and hasn't looked back. The right-back has since made over 300 appearances across all competitions and will reach a decade of continuous service for the Cherries in January 2024.“You don’t see it often these days,” Smith said. “When I first joined Bournemouth, I honestly didn’t expect to be here ten years. Smith, now 32, is one of several members of the 2019-20 relegation squad to remain at the Vitality Stadium. 

5. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur) - 11 Years 1 Months

Lloris signed for Tottenham Hotspur on 31 August 2012 for €10 million and €5 million variable. He made his debut for Spurs in a UEFA Europa League match against Lazio on 20 September 2012, the result of the match was 0–0. Lloris is described as a goalkeeper who boasts lightning reflexes and good decision-making and is a formidable opponent in one-on-one situations. Lloris also commands his box well. Currently, he is not the one starting in the matches but he is with the team and there are rumours that he can leave the club in the next transfer window.

4. Joel Ward (Crystal Palace) - 11 Years 4 Months

Joel Ward made his Premier League debut for Portsmouth, playing a handful of games as a youngster as Pompey were relegated in the 2009-10 season. However, the bulk of his top-flight career has come in Crystal Palace colours. On 28 May 2012, Ward completed his move to Crystal Palace for £400,000 on a four-year deal. The defender's first season in London saw the Eagles earn promotion via the Championship play-off final. He now has more than 300 appearances for the London side, including more than 250 in the Premier League.

3. Paul Dummett (Newcastle United) - 12 Years 3 Months

Aside from loan spells with Gateshead and St Mirren, Dummett has spent his entire career at Newcastle United. Newcastle United have made plenty of additions to their squad since their 2021 takeover, but they still have a few stars with experience of relegation. One of those is Paul Dummett, the academy graduate who made his Premier League debut in 2013. Despite falling down the pecking order and only making one first-team appearance in 2022/23, the 31-year-old has agreed a one-year contract extension to stay at St James’ Park until the summer of 2024.

2. Lewis Dunk (Brighton) - 14 Years 3 Months

One of two players on Brighton's books for more than a decade, club captain Dunk has seamlessly made the move from the Championship to the Premier League. More than two-thirds of his career league games have come in the top flight, earning praise from manager Roberto De Zerbi. "For me, it’s difficult to see how he has never played for a big team in the Premier League because if you ask me what I think about him, I would say he is one of the best defenders in the Premier League," De Zerbi told club media before the centre-back's 400th career appearance. "I know well his potential and his standard of performance". The 31-year-old has been with Brighton his whole career. A 14-year stay that’s seen him nurtured from adolescence through to adulthood. His journey is seemingly interwoven with the city of his birth.

1. Seamus Coleman (Everton) - 14 Years 8 Months

Not just the longest-serving Everton player, but the longest-serving Premier League player. The Irishman joined from Sligo Rovers in 2009 at the age of 20, making his debut later that year, and hasn't looked back. A quick, skilful and hard-working player with immense stamina, he is renowned for his eagerness to get forward on attacking runs which has established his goalscoring prowess. Despite being very quiet by nature, Coleman has shown great leadership qualities which have propelled him to the role of captain of the Irish national team.