Joins exclusive club 

Football's one-club men - Iñaki Williams joins Brighton and Celtic stalwarts in 500-game club

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Iñaki Williams has long been regarded as one of Athletic Bilbao’s greatest club legends. Now the Basque side’s captain has reached the next milestone, one that only seven other players in the history of the Leones have surpassed: 500 professional appearances.

With his appearance on Saturday, the Bilbao-born Ghana international has now reached a special milestone, joining a group of 19 current professionals in European football who have played 500 or more competitive matches for one club. Unfortunately for the 31-year-old, he couldn’t mark the occasion with three points as Girona ran out 3-0 winners at Estadi Montilivi.

“He can be proud of his achievements,” said manager Ernesto Valverde, who himself played 492 games for Athletic across three spells. “These are impressive figures that highlight what Iñaki means not only to the team, but also to the club and its history. He has achieved everything through sheer determination, thanks to his unbridled fighting spirit, which always drives us on and pushes us forward. This will be another success in his career.”

Brighton, Rangers and Celtic veterans on the list

It must be stated that this only applies to active players, so the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes – who combined for 1,681 appearances for Manchester United – do not feature.

Celtic have two representatives on the list, with Callum McGregor on 566 appearances and James Forrest left on 562, although neither player featured in the 3-1 win over Motherwell this weekend. And barring a late injury withdrawal, James Tavernier will feature in his 560th game for Rangers on Sunday when they face St. Mirren.

Active players with 500 appearances or more for one club

Lewis Dunk captained Brighton to a 1-0 win away at Sunderland to mark his 515th game for Brighton, while in the Championship, Liam Palmer has now played 502 games for already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday and featured in the 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Akinfeev tops the list

Meanwhile, among active professionals, no one has played more matches for their current club than goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, 39, who has been with CSKA Moscow since 2003. On Saturday, he played his 817th match for the Russian outfit.

The record-holding outfield player for a single club among active professionals is midfielder Koke, 34, who has been a regular presence in the Atlético Madrid team since 2009 and made his 727th competitive appearance for the Colchoneros in the 1-0 win against Getafe on Saturday.

Jamie Mulgrew of Linfield (592 games) is closing in on his 600th game for the Northern Irish outfit and sits third. In fourth and fifth place are Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich and Martin Männel of Erzgebirge Aue.