With a full set of Premier League games taking place in midweek this week, Tuesday night saw 37-year-old Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy, beat 39-year-old West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski with a powerful shot to open the scoring in the Foxes' 3-1 victory.
In a sport increasingly becoming a young man's game, DAZN News takes a look at the five oldest players to have appeared in the English Premier League. Perhaps not surprisingly, they are all goalkeepers.
5. Mark Schwarzer (42 years, 159 days)
The Australian shot-stopper had an illustrious Premier League career, playing for Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, and Leicester City. Schwarzer’s longevity was remarkable, with his final Premier League appearance coming in 2015 for Leicester.
Although he did not play a key role in Leicester’s famous 2015-16 title-winning campaign, he holds the distinction of being the first player to win back-to-back Premier League titles with two different clubs (Chelsea in 2014-15, Leicester the following season).
4. Brad Friedel (42 years, 176 days)
The American goalkeeper was a model of consistency, known for his incredible fitness and reliability. Over two decades, Friedel represented Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur.
His 310 consecutive Premier League appearances remain a record. Friedel’s final game in 2013 for Tottenham capped off a legendary career, making him one of the league's most recognisable figures.
3. Steve Ogrizovic (42 years, 237 days)
Although Ogrizovic's best years came before the Premier League era, he made his final top-flight appearance for Coventry City in 1998.
Known for his commanding presence in goal and his incredible reflexes, he spent most of his career with the Sky Blues, making over 600 appearances.
Widely regarded as the best keeper never to play for England, Ogrizovic maintained his association with Coventry long after his playing days as he took on various role with the side - most notably as goalkeeper coach from 2008 to 2019.
2. Alec Chamberlain (42 years, 327 days)
Chamberlain’s career spanned over two decades, with his most notable contributions coming during his time at Watford. Although not always a first-choice keeper, he was a reliable deputy who brought experience and stability to the squad.
His final Premier League appearance came in 2007 and while it counts as a cap the reality is that it was a more an act of kindness.
After an 11-year stay at Vicarage Road Chamberlain ended his time at the club as third choice keeper. In the final game of the season, with one minute left on the clock, he was subbed on by manager Adie Boothroyd, affording the crowd a chance to acknowledge the contributions of a longtime Hornets servant.
1. John Burridge (43 years, 162 days)
"Budge," as he was affectionately known, is the oldest player ever to appear in the Premier League. He made his final appearance for Manchester City in 1995.
Famous for his fitness regimen and eccentric personality, Burridge’s career spanned an incredible 28 years, during which he played for over 20 clubs. While he was signed for City as some experienced backup, it's probably fair to say that at no point would he actually have been expecting to play.
But play he did... With injury and suspension ruling out those ahead of him in the pecking order - Tony Coton, Andy Dibble and Martyn Margetson, he made his City debut against one of his many former clubs, Newcastle United when he was subbed on for the injured Coton. He went on to play the next three games before he brought the curtain down on his career.