George Bennett
Published3rd Apr 2026, 08:00 BST
Albert Adomah will make Football League history if he steps out on the pitch for his 100th Walsall appearance against Gillingham at Bescot on Good Friday.
Walsall will be the sixth club that he has surpassed a century of games with, and in doing so, Adomah will become the first player to achieve such a feat across the top four tiers in English football history.
The 38-year-old previously shared the record with legendary former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and ex-Saddlers defender Peter Clarke.
Uncle Albert in the record books
Albert Adomah career record
(in all competitions)
Middlesbrough - 143 apps (26 goals, 19 assists)
Bristol City - 136 apps (17 goals, 25 assists)
QPR - 130 apps (six goals, nine assists)
Aston Villa - 125 apps (22 goals, 20 assists)
Barnet - 120 apps (20 goals, 17 assists)
Walsall - 99 apps* (12 goals, 11 assists)
Nottingham Forest - 27 apps (three goals, two assists)
Cardiff - 9 apps (two assists)
Adomah played over 100 games for Barnet, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers before joining Walsall in the summer of 2024.
The former Ghana international registered 20 goals and 22 assists during three seasons at Villa Park - leading them to promotion via the Championship play-offs in his last campaign in 2019.
He has gone on to score 12 goals and set-up 11 more for the Saddlers, as he reached a century of club career goals in an EFL Trophy victory at local rivals Shrewsbury Town in September last year.
‘That drive... comes from him’ - Byfield on Adomah
Walsall star Albert Adomah made his EFL breakthrough with Barnet between 2008 and 2010. (Image by Pete Norton/Getty)placeholder image
Walsall star Albert Adomah made his EFL breakthrough with Barnet between 2008 and 2010. (Image by Pete Norton/Getty) | Pete Norton/Getty
“The best teams I was involved in as a player was led by the players,” Walsall interim head coach Darren Byfield said.
“Where the manager didn’t have to say too much in terms of how they conducted themselves around the building.
“Their drive on match days and in training, and that comes from him and the other experienced lads in the dressing room.”
More milestones await
Most appearances in the EFL
Active EFL players (league only)
1. Billy Sharp - Doncaster Rovers (719)
2. Albert Adomah - Walsall (718)
3. James Milner - Brighton (663)
4. Michael Morrison - Cambridge (641)
5. Marlon Pack - Portsmouth (633)
6. Tom Lees - Peterborough (623)
7. David McGoldrick - Barnsley (609)
8. Sam Vokes - Gillingham (606)
Shilton became a centurion with Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Derby County, as well winning a remarkable 125 caps for England.
Meanwhile, Clarke played over 100 times for Blackpool, Southend United, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, and played his 1,000th competitive game for non-league Prescott Cables earlier this season.
Adomah already boasts the record for the most Championship appearances (526) since the Football League was rebranded in 2003.
Albert Adomah celebrating promotion to the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2019.placeholder image
Albert Adomah celebrating promotion to the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2019. | Getty
Only Billy Sharp (719) has made more appearances than Adomah’s tally of 718 out of the active players in the EFL - with Premier League record appearance holder James Milner in third with 663.
And he is also just 11 games away from hitting 800 professional club appearances - a total he has already exceeded for club and country if you include his 18 caps for Ghana.
Albert Adomah set the record for the most Championship appearances since its rebranding during his spell with boyhood club Queens Park Rangers in 2022.placeholder image
Albert Adomah set the record for the most Championship appearances since its rebranding during his spell with boyhood club Queens Park Rangers in 2022. | Getty
Still providing ‘quality’ aged 38
“Albert is brilliant and you can see the quality that he brings,” Walsall midfielder Alex Pattison said.
“That’s why he has had the career that he has had. I remember when I was a younger lad when he was at Middlesbrough and I used to train with him.
Walsall’s Albert Adomah previously played over 100 games for Barnet, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. (Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)placeholder image
Walsall’s Albert Adomah previously played over 100 games for Barnet, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. (Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) | Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
“He’s an incredible player, a brilliant guy and a good example to everyone in the changing room.”
Adomah is aging like fine wine and that evergreen reputation has only been reinforced by his latest spell on the right wing under Darren Byfield.
The veteran had started the past four games and scored his first brace since 2017 during the Saddlers’ 3-0 success at Crewe Alexandra last month, as well as registering a magical assist for Aaron Pressley.
“I want to retire on my own terms”
Albert Adomah in December 2025
It will be intriguing to see just how much longer he has left in the tank but Adomah has previously stated that he will retire on his own terms.
“I have to look after myself first and foremost and hopefully I’m still playing and just being active,” Adomah said in an interview earlier this season.
“If I’m active then I can go as long as I can, but I don’t want to breakdown before I retire.
“I want to retire on my own terms and hopefully I’m still 100 per cent when I stop playing.”
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