After an impressive 24-year career, James Milner, aged 40, is poised to equal the record for the most Premier League appearances if he takes the field for Brighton against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Milner’s illustrious career has spanned over two decades and included six top-flight clubs, with 652 appearances in the Premier League, 61 caps for England, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League victory, alongside several remarkable moments.
Milner is on the brink of matching Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League appearance record of 653, achieving this milestone 8,491 days after debuting for his hometown club, Leeds United, shortly after finishing school in 2002.
Milner was just 16 years old and earning £70 a week as a youth player when he made his first-team debut at Leeds, just six months after completing his GCSEs.
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In 2005, Milner signed with Newcastle for a fee of £5 million.
Alan Shearer, who was Milner’s teammate at Newcastle, has praised him as a model professional and a “manager’s dream.” Shearer stated, “Having him in your squad is a guarantee of consistency.”
However, a year later, Milner was loaned to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, with then-manager Graeme Souness justifying his decision by saying, “You won’t win the league with James Milner.”
Milner significantly impressed during his loan at Villa, leading to a £4 million permanent offer in September 2006. However, Newcastle withdrew from the deal at the last minute, delaying his transfer to Villa for another two years.
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In 2020, Milner chose to take on the challenge of rejuvenating Manchester City, contributing to their success over the next five years, during which he helped secure two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup, and one Community Shield.
Reflecting on their 2012 Premier League triumph, former City defender Micah Richards noted, “Milner was a key figure who maintained the team’s morale during challenging times.”
After making 147 appearances for City, he was ready for a new challenge.
Next, he joined Liverpool, where he won numerous honors including the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and Community Shield.
In 2023, Brighton offered him the opportunity to extend his top-flight career as he continues in his 24th season in the Premier League.
This season, Milner became the second-oldest goalscorer in Premier League history, honoring his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota with a celebration reminiscent of Jota’s signature style.
After the match, an emotional Milner shared, “It had been six years since my last Premier League goal, and I was wearing his number. I’m grateful for a little help from the great man.”
Milner recalls a conversation with veteran goalkeeper Nigel Martyn shortly after joining Leeds’ first team 24 years ago. Martyn advised him to “enjoy it while it lasts because it goes by quickly.” Milner laughed at the time, saying, “I’m just 16!” Yet here he is now, reflecting on that fleeting time.
Read more about Milner as he approaches the Premier League record