Loyalty is a hard thing to come by in football nowadays. With all the money being thrown around by Premier League clubs, there’s a constant turnover of squads. ‘Out with the old and in with the new’ is certainly one of the biggest mottos of transfer windows today.

Refreshing a squad is key, yet, despite new faces arriving, there are a few stalwarts at every side, players who are now so intertwined with the DNA of a team because of all the years of service they have given them. Be it a few years or more than a decade, an element of the old familiar certainly remains at each club in the English top division.

But who are the most loyal players in the league today? Well, with some help from Transfermarkt, we can see exactly who has spent the longest amount of time at every Premier League club this year, with their database accurate to the day a player joined the club. And with a few players approaching or already reaching 10 years at one club, it’s fair to say a few are considered club icons by supporters now.

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka

Time spent at club – 5 years, 8 months, 4 days

It is incredible to think that at just 23-years-old, Bukayo Saka has now become Arsenal’s longest serving player. If anything, all this does is show just how much of a transformation the Gunners have undergone during Mikel Arteta’s reign. Gabriel Martinelli falls just short of the lead, highlighting that these two youngsters have been pivotal to the team that has been built around them in recent years.

Before Saka, it was Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny who wore the crown. However, the ball-winner finally brought his time at the Emirates to a halt when he agreed a move to the UAE outfit Al-Jazira in the summer of 2024.

Aston Villa – John McGinn

Time spent at club – 6 years, 7 months, 3 days

Having become one of the Premier League’s most underappreciated engine room performers, John McGinn has also established himself as a Villa Park fan-favourite. The Scot has been at his current club since 2018, signing from Hibernian, and has since played 239 games for the Villains.

Now club captain, he has been key to helping Unai Emery’s side bounce back from a dismal tenure under Steven Gerrard, leading them to their first Champions League qualification since the 1980s. With still two years left on his deal, the Scotsman will be looking to ensure he extends his stay for the foreseeable future.

Bournemouth – Adam Smith

Time spent at club – 11 years, 2 months, 1 days

Our first player to crack the 10-year mark at his current club. We’re not sure if it’s the golden beaches or the smell of the fresh sea air, but something’s telling us that Adam Smith loves life on the south coast.

Out of 226 games in the top division, just one of those came for his boyhood club, Tottenham Hotspur, but he has since etched himself into the history of Bournemouth from being right in the trenches all the way up to rubbing shoulders with England’s very elite. Lifting Championship silverware in 2014/15, Smith hasn’t been able to add to his trophy cabinet since then. But Cherries supporters love him all the same.

Brentford – Rico Henry

Time spent at club – 8 years, 7 months, 3 days

Rico Henry has been with the Bees for eight years and joined when they were targeting a 10th-place finish in the Championship under Dean Smith. A little bit later down the line, and the Englishman has been a key part of Brentford standing firm in their Premier League status, having teetered over the 200-game milestone in the early stages of the current season.

A top left-back in the league when available, Henry missed a substantial chunk of the 2023/24 season after picking up an injury early in the term. If not for that, the 27-year-old could well have taken advantage of the injury crisis England faced at left-back to be part of the squad at Euro 2024.

Brighton – Lewis Dunk

Time spent at club – 14 years, 9 months, 30 days

As he graduated from the Brighton academy, the South Coast club – who are so typically good at picking up lesser-known talent – knew they had a long-term centre-back already at their disposal. But Lewis Dunk has transitioned to life in the Premier League with such ease since his top flight debut in 2017.

The Englishman played his maiden senior game in April 2010 when Brighton were battling it out in League One, and now he is one of the club’s most consistent performers in England’s highest tier, all while having the captains’ armband hugging his bicep. A Brighton legend? Absolutely.

Chelsea – Reece James

Time spent at club – 5 years, 8 months, 4 days

As Callum Hudson-Odoi packed his bags and moved to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023, Reece James leapfrogged him to become Chelsea’s most loyal employee, having now spent just over five years of his senior career in the west London club’s senior team. That season, the 25-year-old defender, who has been at the club since six years old, became club captain following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta, although his opportunities to lead the club have been few and far between.

Unfortunately, James’ issues with injuries have meant that, more often than not, he’s sat on the sidelines watching others lead his team out. He may be ever-present in the squad, but there is a difference between that and being available.

Crystal Palace – Joel Ward

Time spent at club – 12 years, 8 months and 5 days

Signing for a mere £400,000 from Portsmouth in 2012, it’s fair to say the seasoned defender has proven his worth. Ward, 34, has played over 350 games for Crystal Palace, with 294 of those coming in the Premier League. His goal contribution record is less than stellar, with just six goals and 10 assists, but that’s to be expected for a defensive-minded player.

Now the club’s captain, he has seen a whole load of talented players arrive and leave, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wilfried Zaha and many others. There is every chance that he is coming to the end of his time at Selhurst Park, although it wouldn’t hurt to have his experience around.

Everton – Seamus Coleman

Time spent at club – 16 years, 1 month, 15 days

Having spent over 16 years at Goodison Park, the right-back has certainly earned himself cult hero status and has all the ingredients to be just that. Seamus Coleman has spent more time at one club than anyone else in this list, showing unwavering loyalty to the Toffees.

He might be past his prime now, but in his heyday, Coleman was one of the best defenders to ever don the famous Blue shirt. Defensively sound and also a threat going forward, Premier League fans won’t forget Everton’s dynamic full-back duo that was Coleman and Leighton Baines. Former manager Frank Lampard once admitted that Coleman was “one of the best people” he had ever met, so he really does have it all.

Fulham – Tom Cairney

Time spent at club – 9 years, 8 months, 5 days

Since moving to Craven Cottage eight years ago, Cairney has been an immovable object at times, having played over 300 games, scoring 45 goals and notching 36 assists across that period. He has been with the club through highs and lows, including multiple relegations and also three promotions from the Championship.

Also the capital club’s skipper for several years, Cairney is loved by Fulham fans and signed a new deal with the club in January 2024, one which will keep him in west London until the summer of 2025. Should he stay beyond then, the 34-year-old could reach a decade at the Cottagers.

Ipswich Town – Luke Woolfenden

Time spent at club – 7 years, 7 months, 20 days

Given Ipswich’s dramatic rise up the English football pyramid since Kieran McKenna’s arrival, it is not surprising to see that their longest surviving player has had one of the shortest stints on the list. After all, many of the players McKenna would’ve inherited when he took over at the Tractor Boys would simply not have been able to compete at the level the club is at now. Simply put, they have outgrown those lads.

One name who has stuck through the test of time though since these rapid promotions is Luke Woolfenden. Having come through the club’s academy, the defender has played in every professional league in the country during what has been a real rags to riches career.

Leicester City – Jamie Vardy

Time spent at club – 12 years, 8 months, 5 days

Twelve years of Jamie Vardy antics. How lucky Leicester City fans have been. For all the Red Bulls, hilarious celebrations and whatever else one associates with Vardy, the main thing that the Englishman has provided the Foxes with for well over a decade is goals.

No Premier League player has scored more goals after turning 30 than this man, who also claimed the golden boot and the most unexpected league title in that period. His signing will forever go down as one of the biggest bargains in English football, with the £1 million spent on bringing him to the King Power worth its weight in gold.

Liverpool – Joe Gomez

Time spent at club – 9 years, 8 months, 5 days

When Jordan Henderson departed for the Saudi Pro League, and then ultimately Ajax, the title of longest-serving Liverpool player was passed on to someone new – specifically Joe Gomez. Joining from Charlton in 2015, the English defender has gone on to become a regular for the Reds.

Capable of playing centrally next to Virgil van Dijk or on either flank, Gomez has now amassed over 240 games for the Reds’ senior team since arriving nine years ago, but has impressively never scored a goal for the club. Considering he is under contract until 2027, he seems destined to reach a decade at the club, provided he’s not sold.

Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne

Time spent at club – 9 years, 6 months, 28 days

Amazingly, the gifted Belgian is the only pre-Pep Guardiola asset left in the Manchester City squad. Kevin De Bruyne’s £55m arrival turned a few noses up once it had hit the headlines, having failed to make the grade for Chelsea, but now the Manchester-based club are the ones having the last laugh.

Eight trophy-ladened campaigns later, and he has entered the conversation of being the Premier League’s best-ever midfielder thanks to his wonderful range of passing, his exceptional ball-striking ability, and his all-round play in City’s engine room. Now only second in the Premier League’s assist charts behind Ryan Giggs, De Bruyne’s importance to City’s recent success cannot be understated.

Manchester United – Luke Shaw

Time spent at club – 10 years, 7 months, 9 days

Having joined Manchester United young and fresh-faced in 2013 from Southampton, not many people knew what to expect. There were times when some thought Luke Shaw’s days as a Manchester United player might be numbered, especially after he infamously clashed with former manager Jose Mourinho. But the defender has outlasted the Portuguese coach and continues to be a key cog in United’s defence.

A top 10 Premier League left-back when available, Shaw offers so much going forward while also looking solid at the back. He has been a part of the Red Devils’ setup for nearly 10 years now. The downfall he has faced constantly though is injuries. Had he stayed fit, Shaw could’ve easily chalked up another century of appearances for the club.

Newcastle United – Jamaal Lascelles

Time spent at club – 10 years, 7 months, 41 days

After Paul Dummet’s departure from St James’ Park, the role of longest serving player fell to Jamaal Lascelles. It was reported that the defender, who is no longer a regular in the first team, had his role shifted and is now club captain, meaning he’s in charge of the dressing room and what goes on off the pitch regarding the players, while Bruno Guimaraes leads the team on the pitch.

Given that the Englishman has been at the club for over a decade, he is a suitable candidate for this new role. As someone who knows every corner of not only the football club, but the city too, Lascelles is deserving of such a position and will be a sad absentee when his time at the club comes to an end.

Nottingham Forest – Ryan Yates

Time spent at club – 8 years, 7 months, 26 days

Similarly to Lascelles, Ryan Yates becoming the longest servant at Nottingham Forest is only a recent thing. Previously, the accolade belonged to Joe Worrall before the defender moved to Beskitas on loan and then Burnley on a permanent basis last summer.

Like Worrall, midfielder Ryan Yates is an academy product who has spent the entirety of his career at the City Ground, aside from some loan spells at Barrow, Shrewsbury, Notts County, and Scunthorpe United. He has been a regular fixture in the team since 2018, and was key to Forest getting back into the top flight in 2022. The 27-year-old has over 200 appearances to his name at the club, and could pick plenty more before his contract expires in 2028.

Southampton – Alex McCarthy

Time spent at club – 8 years, 7 month, 3 days

Once tipped to be England’s future number one, the now 35-year-old Alex McCarthy finds himself in the category of one-cap wonders instead. Nonetheless, the goalkeeper has had a respectable career which has predominantly been spent at St Marys.

With only 155 appearances to his name over the last 8 years, it is safe to say that McCarthy has not always been first choice at Southampton. Regardless, the Englishman is a fine back-up to have and when the going gets tough for whoever is in between the sticks, managers know that they have a reliable alternative waiting in the wings, which is perhaps why the Saints have been keen to keep hold of him.

Tottenham Hotspur – Ben Davies

Time spent at club – 10 years, 8 months, 5 days

Hugo Lloris’ departure to MLS side Los Angeles FC brought an end to his 12 years in north London, with the French shot-stopper passing on the mantle of longest-serving Tottenham player to someone new. And that someone is left-back Ben Davies.

Having joined Spurs in 2014 from Swansea City, the Welshman hit 10 years at the club in June, but he hasn’t played much of a role under Ange Postecoglou, mainly because of the rise of Destiny Udogie. While a move has not yet materialised, should it, then captain Son Heung-min will earn the title of Tottenham’s most loyal servant.

West Ham United – Aaron Cresswell

Time spent at club – 10 years, 8 months, 5 days

Making more than 300 appearances for one club is a fantastic achievement, especially as Cresswell made 218 elsewhere beforehand. The Liverpool-born defender joined West Ham in 2014 from Ipswich, the exact same time Davies made the move to White Hart Lane.

As age catches up to the defender, his game time has become limited. However, those in charge may be hesitant to see a player who is a part of the furniture like Cresswell is, go anywhere. Since Mark Noble, also known as ‘Mr West Ham’, hung up his boots in 2022, the club have been crying out for someone to take over the reins. And while Cresswell will not fill the boots entirely, he’ll be a great presence at the club until he moves on.

Wolves – Nelson Semedo

Time spent at club – 4 years, 6 months, 1 day

With a little over four years experience at Molineux, former Barcelona defender Nelson Semedo has now become the oldest face in Wolves’ senior dressing room. Joining many other Portuguese stars in the Black Country, the right-back has outlasted many of them as he continues to play an integral part in Gary O’Neil’s squad.

Semedo was only handed the title last summer, taking it from former captain Max Kilman, who made the switch to West Ham. While Kilman will undoubtedly be a miss on and off the pitch, Semedo will be keen to ensure that he does everything he can to minimise the impact it has on what has now become his dressing room.