Every Premier League Club’s Longest-Serving Active Player 2c3qh

Leicester City’s longest-serving player Jamie Vardy is set to leave after 13 years with the club this summer and here, SportsCasting takes a look at every Premier League club’s longest-serving player. 

These stalwarts embody loyalty, resilience, and the heart of their teams with some becoming legends in the eyes of their fans.

And with Jamie Vardy set to leave Leicester at the end of the season, his loyalty and resilience helped guide the Foxes to their historic Premier League title triumph in 2016 against all odds.

Below, we look at every Premier League club’s longest-serving player, including Vardy at Leicester.

The information is accurate as of April 24, 2025. The dates are based off either when the player signed for the club, or if they came through the club’s academy, then the date they made their senior debuts.

Every Premier League Club’s Longest-Serving Active Player 2c3qh

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka (6 years, 5 months) 565123

Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s longest-serving player in the current squad having made his debut in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava in November 2018.

The 23-year-old winger, a product of Arsenal’s youth academy, has become a key figure for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Saka is known for his versatility and work rate and is expected to have a long and successful career at the Emirates.

Aston Villa – John McGinn (6 years and 8 months) 3a4z1z

John McGinn is approaching seven years at Aston Villa after ing them from Hibernian in August 2018.

He has played a big part in everything from Aston Villa’s 2019 promotion to playing in the Champions League.

McGinn is a fan favourite at Villa Park and doesn’t look likely to leave the club any time soon.

Bournemouth – Adam Smith (11 years and 3 months) 2j1d34

Adam Smith is the sixth longest-serving player out of any club currently playing in the Premier League.

He ed the club from Tottenham in January 2014 and has made 354 appearances for the Cherries.

Smith was named captain of Bournemouth last summer, replacing goalkeeper Neto.

Brentford – Rico Henry (8 years and 8 months) 1w2n6q

Rico Henry ed Brentford from Walsall for £1.5m in August 2016 and has made 206 appearances for the Bees.

He played a crucial part in Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2020-21 season.

His appearances for the Bees though have been limited ever since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2023.

Brighton – Lewis Dunk (15 years) 3t4ny

Lewis Dunk signed his first professional contract with Brighton on April 30, 2010 and made his debut one day later in a goalless draw with Milton Keynes Dons.

Since then he has made 482 appearances for the Seagulls and played for the England senior squad on six occasions.

Dunk is second on the list when it comes to longest-serving players at Premier League clubs.

Chelsea – Reece James (5 years and 7 months) 656v69

It is no surprise that Reece James is the longest-serving player at Chelsea. This is given the high turnaround in players at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons.

James made his debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby in September 2019. He marked the occasion with a goal by superbly curling in from 20 yards.

He has made 177 appearances for Chelsea, though that number could be higher if it wasn’t for the fact that he has been plagued with injuries.

Crystal Palace – Joel Ward (12 years and 11 months) 2y3u4z

Joel Ward will hit 13 years at Crystal Palace in May 2025 after ing the club from Portsmouth.

The versatile defender has been a mainstay at Selhurst Park playing as a right-back or centre-back.

Ward has yet to sign a contract extension past the end of this season. If he does leave the club, then the next longest-serving player is Jeffrey Schlupp at eight years and three months. However, his future is also uncertain given that he was sent out on loan to Celtic in February.

Everton – Seamus Coleman (16 years and 3 months) 1s5e4t

Out of every Premier League club’s longest-serving player, Seamus Coleman is the one who has had the longest stint.

Everton’s captain has made over 400 appearances for the Toffees since ing from Sligo Rovers in January 2009.

He was briefly made t interim-manager alongside Leighton Baines after the sacking of Sean Dyche and before the appointment of David Moyes this season.

His contract expires this summer and despite his limited game-time this season, David Moyes wants him to lead out the Toffees in their first game at their new stadium next season.

Fulham – Tom Cairney (9 years and 10 months) h6g6o

Fulham captain Tom Cairney is approaching a decade at Craven Cottage after ing from Blackburn Rovers in June 2015.

Cairney was central to Fulham’s promotions to the Premier League in 2017-18, 2019-20 and 2021-22.

The highlight was his goal at Wembley Stadium against Aston Villa in the 2018 playoff final.

His contract expires this summer and the next longest-serving player would be Antonee Robinson, though he is facing interest from other Premier League clubs.

Ipswich Town – Luke Woolfenden (7 years and 8 months) m2w1u

Luke Woolfenden made his Ipswich debut in a Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town in August 2017.

Although he went on to have loan stints at Bromley and Swindon Town, he is still Ipswich’s longest-serving player.

Woolfenden is contracted at Ipswich until 2027, so the 26-year-old could make it to 10 years at the Tractors.

Leicester City – Jamie Vardy (12 years and 11 months) 535l6d

Jamie Vardy’s legendary career at Leicester City will come to an end when he leaves the club this summer.

The former England international who ed from non-league Fleetwood Town fired Leicester City to the title in 2016 and is their all-time leading scorer with 198 goals.

When Vardy leaves, the longest-serving player at the Foxes will be Wilfred Ndidi – who ed the club in January 2017.

Liverpool – Joe Gomez (9 years and 10 months) q675h

Joe Gomez is approaching a decade at Anfield after ing from Charlton for £3.5m in June 2015.

The England international has been plagued with injury issues over the course of his time at Liverpool.

Gomez, who has made 241 appearances for Liverpool, was linked with an exit last summer. He is one player who could be on the move at the end of this season.

Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne (9 years and 8 months) 53605t

Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been the best player in the Premier League since his £55m arrival from Wolfsburg in August 2015.

During his time at the Etihad he has won a host of personal accolades, on top of six Premier League titles, the Champions League in 2023 among more club honours.

Similar to Jamie Vardy, he knows he will be leaving his current club at the end of the season. Once he departs, John Stones will be the longest-serving player at Manchester City, having ed the club in the summer of 2016.

Manchester United – Luke Shaw (10 years and 10 months) 306dp

Luke Shaw ed Manchester United a year after their last Premier League triumph in 2014.

Signed from Southampton, Shaw overcame criticism from Jose Mourinho to become a reliable performer, blending defensive solidity with attacking contributions.

However, he might more be ed for the consistent injury issues that have kept him out of the team for large periods of time. The last two seasons have seen him make just 20 appearances in all competitions.

Newcastle United – Jamaal Lascelles (10 years and 8 months) k1w31

Jamaal Lascelles has been with Newcastle United for over a decade, ing the club in August 2014.

Signed from Nottingham Forest, the centre-back has led the Magpies through relegations, promotions and their resurgence as a competitive force in the top-flight.

Despite not making a single appearance this season due to injury, he lifted the Carabao Cup trophy alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier to celebrate their first silverware in 70 years.

Nottingham Forest – Joe Worrall (8 years and 6 months) 41355y

A product of the Nottingham Forest academy, Joe Worrall made his debut for the club in October 2016 in a 2-0 Championship defeat to Reading.

Worrall played a key role in Nottingham Forest’s promotion to the Premier League after more than two decades outside of the top flight.

His time at the club appears to be coming to an end after loan spells at Besiktas and Burnley over the last two seasons.

Despite those loans, he is still technically Forest’s longest-serving player.

Southampton – Jan Bednarek (7 years and 9 months) 3p1s55

Jan Bednarek ed Southampton for £5m from Polish side Lech Poznan in July 2017.

Other than a short loan stint at Aston Villa in the 2022-23 campaign, he has been an ever-present in the Southampton side, with over 250 appearances.

His aerial strength and consistency helped Southampton return to the Premier League in 2024, though the Saints will again be playing Championship football next season.

Tottenham Hotspur – Son Heung-min (9 years and 8 months) 2q1i1a

Son Heung-min is the last one standing from the Tottenham side that played in the 2019 Champions League final and finished as high as second in the Premier League in 2017.

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son formed an excellent partnership with Harry Kane and his pace, finishing and leadership have made him a cornerstone of Tottenham’s attack.

Son, who won the Golden Boot in 2021-22, has struggled this season with just seven Premier League goals.

West Ham United – Aaron Cresswell (10 years and 9 months) 125b32

Aaron Cresswell ed West Ham in the summer of 2014 from Ipswich Town.

His crossing and set-piece delivery has been key to the Hammers’ success, including their 2023 Europa Conference League triumph.

Cresswell’s contract expires this summer and should he leave, the longest-serving player will then be Michail Antonio who ed the club in September 2015.

Wolves – Nelson Semedo (4 years and 7 months) 2c6e4t

Nelson Semedo’s stint at Wolves is the shortest out of any player on this list of longest-serving players at each Premier League club.

The Portuguese full-back replaced Mario Lemina as the club’s captain back in December of this season.

His contract expires at the end of this season though his club are determined to keep him.