Top 11 youngest goalscorers in Premier League history

Some of these players have gone on to become legends of the game.

The Premier League is one of the best football competitions around the world and over the years, it has witnessed some of the greatest attacking talents. It is also one of the most viewed sporting competitions in the world and the reason behind is its exciting nature and end-to-end action. The presence of star players and the competitiveness of the tournament makes it difficult for a youngster to break inside the first team in order to make his mark. However, many starlets have been successful in doing so and they have gone on to score in the Premier League. Unsurprisingly, they find themselves in the exclusive list of the youngest ever goalscorers in Premier League history.

From Wayne Rooney to Michael Owen and James Milner, many youngsters broke into the scene with goals in the Premier League at a very young age. These goals foretold their greatness in the league and milestones they will go on to achieve in the English top flight. There were some others also who burst as a hot young prospect but gradually drifted away.

Keeping that in mind, we take a look at the top 10 youngest goalscorers in the history of the Premier League.

11. Mikael Forssell (Chelsea) – 17 years 342 days

The former Chelsea striker holds the club record as their youngest ever goalscorer in the Premier League. Forssell was 17 years, 11 months and 5 days old when he netted against Nottingham Forest on his league debut. The record still stands to date in Chelsea’s distinguished history. Forssell achieved the feat on February 20, 1999, after coming off the bench.

10. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) – 17 years 317 days

England star Raheem Sterling is one of the best players in the league’s history. He netted his first goal in the competition at the age of 17 years, 10 months and 12 days. The winger scored in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Reading on October 20, 2012. With this strike, the Englishman became the second-youngest scorer in Liverpool’s history, only behind Michael Owen.

9. Daniel Jebbison (Sheffield United) – 17 years 309 days

The Sheffield teenager needed just seven minutes in his Premier League debut to become the youngest scorer for the club in the competition’s history. Jebbison was 17 years, 10 months and 5 days old when he netted against Everton on May 16, 2021. He is also the league’s youngest player to net a goal on their first full start.

8. Lewis Miley (Newcastle United) – 17 years 229 days

Lewis Miley scored his first goal in the top-flight against Fulham in the 2023-24 season. He has been a great addition to Eddie Howe’s injury-hit Newcastle United. Miley is getting regular opportunities at Newcastle and played against the likes of Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and PSG in Europe.

7. Federico Macheda (Manchester United) – 17 years 226 days

The Italian’s first goal for Manchester United came when the team needed it the most. Macheda came on to the pitch with the Red Devils trailing 2-1 against Aston Villa. After Cristiano Ronaldo scored the equalizer, the youngster scored the winner in the third minute of injury time to lead Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to an important victory. Macheda was just 17 years, 07 months and 14 days old at the time of his strike.

6. Andy Turner (Tottenham Hotspur) – 17 years 166 days

Andy Turner is the sixth youngest scorer in the history of the Premier League. He made his debut in the competition for Tottenham Hotspur in 1992. Turner’s first goal in the competition came at the age of 17 years, 05 months and 13 days. He scored in a narrow 2-1 win over Everton on September 5. This was the Premier League’s first-ever season after it was officially formed in February of that year.

5. Michael Owen (Liverpool) – 17 years 143 days

One of Liverpool’s greatest ever strikers and a Premier League winner with Manchester United, Michael Owen is next on the list of the youngest goalscorers. The English forward scored on debut after replacing Patrik Berger just before the hour mark with Wimbledon 2-0 up in the game.

Owen made a quick impression by scoring a consolation goal in the defeat. He opened his account in the competition at just the age of 17 years, 4 months and 23 days.

4. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) – 17 years 113 days

The Spaniard is considered one of the best midfielders in the Premier League history. He dominated the competition during his eight-year stay at Arsenal and before replicating it with Chelsea. Cesc Fabregas’ first goal in the league came against Blackburn Rovers in a comfortable 3-0 win in 2004. The Spanish midfielder was aged 17 years, 3 months and 21 days at the time, making his Arsenal’s youngest ever scorer.

3. Wayne Rooney (Everton) – 16 years 360 days

One of the best strikers of his generation, Wayne Rooney finds his place in the third spot on this list. The English forward made his debut in the Premier League in 2002 for Everton. Rooney’s debut goal was one to remember as the youngster displayed his tremendous quality.

He took down Thomas Gravesen’s hopeful ball before setting himself and unleashing a brilliant strike, giving no chance to David Seaman in the Arsenal goal, ending Gunner’s unbeaten run in the process. Rooney was just 16 years, 11 months and 26 days old at the time of scoring the goal.

2. James Milner (Leeds United) – 16 years 356 days

Of all the youngest goalscorers, James Milner is the only player who currently plays in the Premier League. The Liverpool midfielder held the record of being the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history until James Vaughan surpassed him.

Milner’s first strike in England’s top division came against Sunderland. He was 16 years, 11 months and 22 days old when he netted for Leeds United in a 2-1 win. Milner is also the player with the fourth-most appearances in the Premier League.

1. James Vaughan (Everton) – 16 years 270 days

James Vaughan is the youngest scorer in the history of the Premier League. His first strike came on April 10, 2005, in Everton’s 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace. Vaughan replaced Gary Naysmith in the final 15 minutes of the game and opened his account at the age of 16 years, 08 months and 27 days. He was set up by Kevin Kilbane for a close-range strike as he displaced Wayne Rooney as Everton’s and James Milner as the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer respectively.

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