The Premier League is one of the most competitive and high-energy leagues in the world, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy success in the division once you reach the twilight of your career.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United this summer at 36 has proven that age really is just a number. The Portuguese superstar has scored four goals in three matches since moving back to Old Trafford and is priced favourably to top the scoring charts in the division this season.
However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who signed a two-year deal with an option for a further year upon his return, still has some way to go before he can mix it with the oldest goalscorers in Premier League history, as our list below shows.
5. Graham Alexander – 38 years, 183 days – Hull City 1-4 BURNLEY – 2010
Former Burnley star Graham Alexander spent the majority of his career playing in the lower leagues of English football. Still, at 37, he was finally handed an opportunity in the top-flight after playing a pivotal role in the Clarets promotion to the Premier League in 2009.
Unfortunately for Burnley, they suffered an immediate relegation back to the second tier, but not before penalty specialist Alexander had converted an impressive seven goals.
The final two of those strikes both came from the spot during a 4-1 victory against Hull in April 2010, which was enough to leave the former Scotland international as the fifth oldest scorer in Premier League history.
4. Stuart Pearce – 38 years, 216 days – Southampton 2-3 WEST HAM – 2000
Nicknamed ‘Psycho’, former England international Stuart Pearce enjoyed a distinguished career with Nottingham Forest throughout the 1980s and 90s before winding down his playing days with Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City.
It was at West Ham where Pearce scored the 20th and final goal of his Premier League career, when just shy of his 39th birthday, he notched to help the Hammers claim a 3-2 victory over Southampton at The Dell.
3. Ryan Giggs – 39 years, 87 days – Queens Park Rangers 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED – 2013
The most decorated player in English football history, there is not a lot former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs did not win during a career that began as a teenager before concluding at the age of 40 in 2014.
One year before his retirement, Giggs notched his final Premier League goal in his 999th senior appearance for club and country, grabbing the second in a 2-0 victory for United against QPR at Loftus Road.
2. Dean Windass – 39 years, 236 days – Portsmouth 2-2 HULL CITY – 2008
Journeyman striker Dean Windass left hometown club Hull in 1995 after making over 200 appearances, but his return to Humberside as a 37-year-old in 2007 was more memorable.
Windass scored the game’s only goal in the 2008 Championship playoff final against Bristol City, securing the Tigers promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.
Despite approaching his 40th birthday, Windass remained with Hull during their first season in the Premier League, scoring his only goal of the campaign to salvage a late draw for the Tigers at Portsmouth in November 2008.
1. Teddy Sheringham – 40 years, 268 days – WEST HAM 1-2 Portsmouth – 2006
When it comes to scoring Premier League goals at the latter stages of your career, there are few better than ex England striker Teddy Sheringham, who notched 32 times in the top flight after his 36th birthday – more than double the amount of any other player beyond that age.
Sheringham is also the only player in the history of the division to have scored in the Premier League after his 40th birthday, achieving the feat for West Ham during their Boxing Day defeat to Portsmouth in 2006.
The former Manchester United and Tottenham star continued scoring until well into his 42nd year, notching the 361st and final goal of his club career for Colchester in an FA Cup tie with Peterborough in January 2008.
*All odds correct at time of writing
