James Milner sets new Premier League appearance record at 654 | OneFootball

James Milner set a Premier League appearance record on Saturday, the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder reaching 654 during the Brentford match at age 40.

According to Superdeporte, he moved clear of the retired Gareth Barry, who had 653, to stand alone as the competition’s most-used player.

Brighton head coach Fabian Huerzeler hailed Milner’s influence, calling him a standard-bearer on and off the pitch, and highlighting his discipline and relentlessness.

Milner began his professional career in 2002 and, in the Premier League, has played for Leeds United, Swindon Town, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton. This season, before this game, he had logged 377 minutes across 15 appearances, with one goal and one assist, starting only three times.

By reaching this milestone, Milner joins a rare group of outfield players who have featured beyond 40, a list that includes Teddy Sheringham, Ryan Giggs, Gordon Strachan and Kevin Phillips.

In the all-time Premier League appearance table, Milner leads with 654 matches, followed by Barry on 653, Giggs on 632 and Frank Lampard on 609.

Across a long career he shone for Manchester City and Liverpool, winning three league titles, two FA Cups, two Community Shields and two League Cups, and with Liverpool the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2019.

Source: Superdeporte