5 players scored at 39 or older 

©TM/IMAGO

Ironically, Ashley Young, became the fourth oldest goalscorer in Premier League history this Wednesday. Everton put in their best performance of the season as they thumped relegation rivals Wolves 4-0 at Goodison Park, and Young opened the scoring with a super curled free-kick. In doing that he became the outright oldest free-kick scorer in the Premier League, with only three other ‘golden oldies’ hitting the back of the net in the English top flight at an older age. 

Ashley may have put the ‘Young’ in old, but who are the other players who showcased their longevity in the Premier League and scored goals late into their careers? It’s one of the hardest divisions to sustain success but many players have defied their age and continued scoring late into their 30s and for one former striker, even into his 40s. At Transfermarkt, we have listed the oldest goalscorers in Premier League history, with some legends and cult heroes cropping up.

The oldest Premier League goalscorers of all-time

The oldest scorer in the history of the Premier League goes to former Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham. In December 2006, the former England forward scored his final Premier League goal for the Hammers against Portsmouth aged 40 years, and eight months old. Sheringham is the only player to score a Premier League goal in his 40s. In second place is Dean Windass, who scored for Hull against Portsmouth in November 2008 aged 39 years, and seven months old.

In third place is former Chelsea centre-half Thiago Silva who scored against Sheffield United last season, aged 39 years, and six months old. Fourth place now goes to Young, after his first Premier League goal since 2019 saw him elevated up the list. In fifth is Man United legend Ryan Giggs who scored his last goal in the English top-flight aged 39 years and two months. Stuart Pearce takes sixth spot after scoring for West Ham aged 38 years and seven months old. Seventh spot goes to full-back Graham Alexander who scored for Burnley aged 38 years and six months old.

In eighth is Mark Hughes, who scored for Blackburn in 2002 when he was 38 years and four months old. Ninth place goes to Tugay, with the Turkish forward scoring for Blackburn in 2008 aged 38 years and three months old, whilst former Wimbledon striker Mick Harford completes the top 10, scoring aged 38 years and one month old. Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, who scored against West Ham on Tuesday, is currently 12th but could be as high as eighth this season if he is to score for the Foxes in May. Cristiano Ronaldo is 17th on the list after scoring his last goal for the Red Devils aged 37 years and eight months in October 2022.