Who Is The Longest Serving Player At Each Premier League Club in 2026?

Old But Gold

It's 2026 and yes, that one player is probably still at your club who you wanted to leave five years ago. There is nothing worse than a player you dislike staying at your club for years on end for no reason you can explain

However, in most cases it is handy having a player who knows the club inside and out. That's why you might often see teams struggling if all their players were signed within the last couple of years. That trend could be the case for a lot of these clubs... Also, the dates are from when the player made their first team debut.

Arsenal - Bukayo Saka - 6 years

A Hale End academy graduate, Bukayo Saka has been at Arsenal since his early footballing days and made the jump to the first-team at 18 years of age. He came through during the lows but has been ever-present in Arsenal's resurgence back to Premier League dominance, but hasn't won the Premier League trophy just yet.

He has captained the side on numerous occasions and looks to be on The Gunners' right wing for the rest of his career. At still only 24, there are plenty of trophies for Saka and Arsenal to win together.

No Premier League duo have combined to create more chances than Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka 🔗🎯 pic.twitter.com/6p1rWaFe3t

— LiveScore (@livescore) January 16, 2026

Aston Villa - John McGinn - 7 years

The Scotsman has become a fan favourite at Villa during his tenure there. There is one thing about McGinn that has never changed. He will always score a screamer at least once during the season.

He has been captain since 2022 and led Villa back to the Premier League and fighting for European football. A proper leader and a hard-working midfielder that is vastly underrated by many.

Bournemouth - Adam Smith - 12 years

Adam Smith is a month off the 12 year mark so we are going to give it to him. Smith has been through multiple promotions with The Cherries. Also being the club captain, Smith is a leader on and off the pitch.

You might have heard me before slate Bournemouth for not replacing the 34-year-old, but Smith is still doing an excellent job in keeping his place at right-back. Don't be surprised if he ends up on the Bournemouth coaching staff as the club's blood runs through his veins.

Brentford - Rico Henry - 9 years

Signed from Walsall over nine years ago, Rico Henry has spent most of his career at Brentford. It has been a tough couple of years for him due to multiple injuries and missed over a year of football.

However, on his day he is a quality left back and his ability alone is a reason why Brentford haven't given up on the full back. This season he has returned to action which is brilliant to see as he was one of the Championship's best full-backs in recent years.

🇯🇲✨ 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Brentford left-back Rico Henry (28) has earned his FIRST ever call-up for the Jamaica senior team! ✅

Congratulations to him. Jamaica are looking to confirm qualification for 2026 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/k8l2NCqpQZ

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 10, 2025

Brighton - Lewis Dunk - 15 years

Yes that's right, Lewis Dunk has been at Brighton and Hove Albion for 15 years now. He has captained Brighton from the Championship all the way through to European Football. He is as solid as they come and has been a cornerstone of their defence for years on end.

He has made over 450 appearances for the Seagulls and quite rightly earned a number of England caps during his tenure as well. He proves loyalty is rewarded and that there is nothing better than a one-club-man.

Chelsea - Reece James - 6 years

Reece James is Chelsea through and through being at the club since he was a boy. He made his first team debut in 2019 and after a good loan spell at Wigan, James became a Chelsea regular.

There is no doubt that Reece James could be one of the best right-backs in the world. However, injuries have continued to hold him back throughout his career at Chelsea and fans would love to see one fully healthy season. The Blues captain should be an easy choice as the starting right back for England at the next World Cup and will hopefully prove why he should be regarded as one of the world's best.

reece james is inevitable. pic.twitter.com/7sDJOS4XIn

— Tega (@cfctega_) January 16, 2026

Crystal Palace - Tyrick Mitchell - 5 years

Tyrick Mitchell is one player who should have made at least one appearance for England and it is quite shocking how he hasn't. Whilst he might not set the world alight every game, he is a consistent performer for Palace and has cemented himself as their left back for seasons to come.

Mitchell joined the Eagles in 2016 after his previous academy at Brentford was shut down. The left back hasn't looked back since joining and was a part of the FA Cup winning squad last year. Perhaps one day Mitchell will get the much deserved call up for England.

Everton - Seamus Coleman - 17 years

The longest serving player on this list, Seamus Coleman has been at Everton longer than anyone can remember. In what was just a bleak £70k signing from Irish club Sligo Rovers, Coleman has given Toffee fans his whole career to the club.

It was David Moyes who snapped him up all those years ago, and it is David Moyes who is manager once again. The two are practically inseparable. It will be a sad day when Coleman eventually decides to hang his boots up but hopefully Everton keep handing him out year-long contracts. Never leave the Premier League please Seamus.

Fulham – Tom Cairney – 10 years

It feels like Cairney hasn’t aged a day ever since he joined Fulham as he still looks as fresh faced as ever. He was a huge part of Fulham’s time spent in the Championship and promotions to go with that. He is still as ever-present in the Fulham midfield to date and seems like he will be sticking around for the time being.

"He can prolong his career in a Fulham shirt" 🗣️

Marco Silva believes Tom Cairney still has more to give in a Fulham shirt and that he doesn't believe he will leave the club this month ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WlexB6vgCV

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 15, 2026

Leeds United - Pascal Struijk - 6 years

This might come as a suprise to a few of you but Pascal Struijk has been a Leeds player longer than you may think. The centre back signed from Ajax in 2018 and has gone on to make nearly 200 appearances for the club. Unlike some of his long-time serving counterparts, Struijk still contributes massively to the newly promoted side and will be a big part in making sure they avoid relegation.

Liverpool – Joe Gomez – 10 years

You have to feel a bit sorry for Joe Gomez in recent times. As soon as he is needed for the Liverpool side he seems to get injured. But he has served the club well during his time at the club and won every possible trophy with the club. He is as reliable as they come and able to operate anywhere in the backline. Liverpool have missed him this season as they continue to struggle to get back to last seasons success.

Manchester City – John Stones – 9 years

Another player hampered by injuries, John Stones was once regarded as one of the leagues best defenders. He signed from Everton as a wonderkid and during his time at City he certainly has proved he belonged in that category. Like Joe Gomez, he has won a huge array of trophies with the club and fit in so well with Pep’s system. Hopefully he can return back to full fitness soon as the World Cup is looming.

Not ready to say goodbye to John Stones 🩵 pic.twitter.com/9Ry2FL4cuC

— Mehul 🏆 (@mehulg10) January 16, 2026

Manchester United – Luke Shaw – 11 years

Wow, it really is injury prone after injury prone in this list. Maybe clubs feel bad for these types of players who knows. In all fairness, Luke Shaw has had some nasty injuries during his time with The Red Devils, most notably a double leg fracture after he recently signed from Southampton. On his day, Shaw is a quality left back and no one will ever forget that Euros goal against Italy. Perhaps he has lost his way over the years, but he still puts a shift when he can for United.

Newcastle United – Jamal Lascelles – 11 years

Whilst he rarely features nowadays for Newcastle, Jamal Lascelles is still the captain at the club and leads the dressing room helping the backroom staff. The 32-year-old is still on a good wage and holds a big role at the club, so he probably won’t be complaining. A loyal serviceman to the club and his work continues to go unnoticed by many fans.

Nottingham Forest – Ryan Yates – 9 years

Ryan Yates has been at Forest his whole career coming through the academy and had a host of loan spells at the start of his career. However, he soon became a regular within the side with over 200 appearances for the club and was a huge part of Forest’s return to the Premier League in 2022. Solid and reliable, what more could you want in a midfielder.

Sunderland - Luke O'Nien - 7 years

He loves a red card and he loves a bit of tomfoolery. Luke O'Nien is a character in and around the Sunderland dressing room and is certainly someone that would be a great roommate for away days. The defender has been at Sunderland through the tough times of back to back relegations but was a huge part of their return to the Premier League years later. His passion for football is unmatched and he lives by Sunderland football club.

Luke O’Nien has a chance to make HISTORY this season 👀

If he scores 919 goals on Saturday vs Crystal Palace he will surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible goal tally

Good luck Luke ❤️🤍#SAFC pic.twitter.com/YMdVR6AHEu

— abs🦦 (@AG17__) January 15, 2026

Tottenham Hotspur – Ben Davies – 10 years

The Welshman is a cult hero at Spurs and his return to the side has been a breath of fresh air. He even scored against Sunderland the other day which was brilliant to see after his spell on the sidelines. A move was potentially on the cards last summer, but Davies is staying with the club under Thomas Frank’s currently unsuccessful spell. Despite being past his prime, the quality hasn’t left Davies and Spurs fans are loving his return.

West Ham United – Jarrod Bowen – 5 years

After Aaron Cresswell’s departure in the summer, Jarrod Bowen sits as West Ham’s most tenured player. After the season The Hammers are having, it is not looking likely that Bowen will be around much longer. The England international has been superb for the club after signing from Hull in 2021. His quality and goal contributions alone has kept West Ham afloat in recent years and even gave them the Europa Conference League. It will be sad if he does go.

On fire for four hundred games 🔥

Congratulations on a major milestone to West Ham talisman Jarrod Bowen 🤝 pic.twitter.com/UGQHYwG4tg

— PFA (@PFA) January 15, 2026

Wolves - Toti - 5 years

Oh it's a sad time to be a Wolves fan, and an even sadder time to be Toti who has been at the club for over five years now making over 100 appearances. It's safe to say his time at the club has been bleak and not much to shout about. Wolves are all but relegated at the moment and Toti can only hope he can secure a move away in the summer otherwise he will be playing Championship football.