Four Premier League stars in top 10 

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There was a time where one-club men, or players who spent the majority of their careers at one club, were fairly common across Europe’s top leagues. Nowadays, with more money than ever in the game, agents constantly encouraging their players to take on lucrative transfers, and football more reactionary than ever, it’s a real rarity to see a one-club man. However, across the years some players have bucked that trend and become true legends at their clubs. Here at Transfermarkt, we have compiled the list of the top 20 one-club men who made the most appearances for their clubs. Only players that were one-club men for top-five league clubs and made their debuts since 1980 have been included.

Paolo Maldini, Paul Scholes & Co. – The top one club-men in the modern era

Leading the way is Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs. After graduating from the club’s academy, among the plethora of talent in the ‘Class of 92’, the Welshman went on to play 963 games for the Red Devils in all competitions across 24 seasons. Second place goes to AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini – the renowned defender played 901 games for the the Rossoneri across 25 seasons. In third is Roma hero Francesco Totti – the Italian forward rejected many big moves elsewhere to play 785 times across 25 seasons for the Giallorossi. Fourth position goes to Giuseppe Bergomi who played 754 games as one-club man for Inter Milan. German forward Thomas Müller is fifth with 742 appearances for Bayern Munich – he has still has a chance to add to that tally this season but reports suggest he will not sign a new contract extension with the Bavarians past this campaign.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is sixth having played 737 games for the Reds. He is followed by Man United legend Paul Scholes in seventh with 716 matches for the Old Trafford side. The first LaLiga entry is Manolo Sanchís in eighth with 710 appearances for Los Blancos. Heading to the red and white half of Madrid now, and Koke is ninth, having played 672 times for Atlético Madrid – he could yet extend his stay with Diego Simeone’s side and climb this list further. Arsenal legend Tony Adams completes the top, having played 656 games for the Gunners.