Image Credits: Imago Images
James Milner set a new Premier League record on Saturday, making his 654th appearance in England’s top flight during Brighton & Hove Albion’s 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
He had been tied with former England international Gareth Barry on 653 appearances before the match, with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler selecting the 40-year-old veteran in midfield.
Milner made his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old for Leeds United in 2002 and has since played for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool, giving him a career spanning more than two decades.
This season, Milner has made 15 league appearances for Brighton, having been in the matchday squad for 21 games and missing six due to injury. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Seagulls in June.
Over his Premier League career, Milner has only been sent off three times – once for a straight red against West Brom and twice after two yellow cards against Crystal Palace.
His record-breaking appearance at Brentford came as a substitute, following his 653rd match for Brighton at Villa in Week 26 of the 2025-26 season, which had seen him equal Barry’s previous record.
After joining Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2015, he made 230 league appearances for the Reds over eight seasons. Milner won the Premier League for the third time at the end of the 2019-20 season, having previously lifted the trophy with Manchester City in 2011-12 and 2013-14.
In addition to a Champions League title, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and two Community Shields, James Milner now holds three Guinness World Records.
Milner set records for the longest gap between his first and most recent Premier League goals (22 years, 248 days) and for the most consecutive Premier League seasons played (24). Milner said: “When I was younger, I used to get the Guinness World Records book for Christmas every year. So this is pretty amazing.”
Congratulations to @JamesMilner on achieving the most appearances in the English @premierleague – 654 as of 21 February 2026 💪
Milner was presented with his certificate at @OfficialBHAFC‘s training ground today ⚽ pic.twitter.com/xiC2TnnrWE
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) February 24, 2026
Read more: Aston Villa transfer stance on Liverpool-linked Morgan Rogers emerges
Roland Sallai father responds to Liverpool links
Juventus linked with shock move for Alisson Becker
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.