Thiago Silva has aged like a fine wine and the Chelsea defender showed he has still got it after becoming one of the Premier League’s oldest goalscorers at the weekend.
The Brazilian got across the near post to head home during Chelsea’s thrilling 4-4 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, entering the top five oldest goalscorers in Premier League history in the process.
Silva will celebrate his 40th birthday next year, but has shown what is possible when professionalism is elite. Here, we look at the five oldest goalscorers the Premier League has seen.
The five oldest goalscorers in Premier League history:
5. Stuart Pearce – 38 years, 7 months, 1 day
Stuart Pearce took the long road to the top of the game, but once he reached the summit the left-back ensured he was there to stay. Pearce’s footballing journey began at non-league Wealdstone, where he famously doubled up on his part-time playing career with a job as an electrician.
The defender’s no-nonsense approach turned the heads of professional sides however, and Pearce’s career took in spells at Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City, in addition to 78 caps for England.
Pearce’s thunderous left foot provided goal threat throughout his career and he scored his final Premier League goal aged 38, with a long-range effort for West Ham in a 3-2 win at Southampton in 2000.
4. Thiago Silva – 39 years, 1 month, 21 days
Thiago Silva’s near-post header against Manchester City saw him rise to fourth on this list.
Questions were asked when Chelsea decided to sign Silva on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, with doubts as to whether the ageing defender could handle the rigours of the Premier League.
The Brazilian has instead demonstrated just why he is regarded as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, making 129 appearances for Chelsea since his arrival.
Our first of the afternoon! 💪 pic.twitter.com/aT6ckHh6bg
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 12, 2023
A natural leader, he has shown evergreen excellence at Stamford Bridge.
3. Ryan Giggs – 39 years, 2 months, 25 days
Ryan Giggs spent more than two decades at the top with Manchester United, a career that saw the Welsh winger become the most decorated player in English football history.
Giggs broke into the team as a teenager and remained a fixture at Manchester United past his 40th birthday, in a one-club career that brought in 13 league titles and two Champions League trophies among his record-breaking collection of major honours.
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Giggs is one of just three players to score 100+ goals and provide 100+ assists in the Premier League, with his final effort for the Red Devils scored two months after his 39th birthday.
Giggs scored the second to seal a 2-0 win at QPR in 2013, marking his 999th senior appearance for club and country with a goal at Loftus Road.
2. Dean Windass – 39 years, 7 months, 21 days
Dean Windass rolled back the years to fire Hull City to Premier League promotion in 2007/08, with the forward’s spectacular strike earning a 1-0 win over Bristol City in the play-off final and place in the top-flight for the first time in the club’s 104-year history.
Windass’ role reduced after Premier League promotion, but he scored to earn Hull a 2-2 draw at Portsmouth and entry onto this list.
The 39-year-old came off the bench to rescue a result for Phil Brown’s side, as his header deflected in off Portsmouth defender Noé Pamarot.
1. Teddy Sheringham – 40 years, 8 months, 24 days
Teddy Sheringham is the only quadragenarian goalscorer in Premier League history having scored his final goal in the division aged 40 years, 8 months and 24 days.
Sheringham was one of the finest goalscorers of the first decade of the Premier League and won the Golden Boot at Spurs during the division’s inaugural campaign in 1992/93, before lifting three league titles and the Champions League after moving to Manchester United in 1997.
146 – Teddy Sheringham’s goal against Portsmouth on Boxing Day in 2006 was his 146th and final @premierleague goal – he was aged 40 years and 268 days and is the oldest scorer in the history of the Premier League. Service. #OptaPLSeasons pic.twitter.com/xYj77yJmsY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 10, 2020
Sheringham continued to score goals in the top-flight until 2006, during a second spell at Spurs and stints with Portsmouth and West Ham.
Having fired West Ham back into the Premier League, he scored in a 2-1 defeat to former club Portsmouth on Boxing Day 2006, to become the oldest scorer in Premier League history.
Sheringham remains the oldest outfield player the division has seen, with his final appearance coming aged 40 years and 270 days.
Read – 90s Hitmen: Teddy Sheringham, a forward of enduring excellence
Read more – Ranking the oldest goalscorers in Champions League history
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