The Premier League has the most loyal players in Europe
The idea of loyalty in football is seen as being something of the past, considering the game is a lot more "money" orientated, meaning players are always willing to move for more money.
To explore the most loyal players in Europe, Ticketgum has analysed statistics, taken from the CIES Football Observatory Atlas which shows the average months spent in a club by players in a first team, revealing which Premier League club has the most loyal players, as well as loyalty levels across Europe.
Key Findings:
Photo credit: Cosmin Iftode/Shutterstock
In terms of leagues, the Premier League had the highest loyalty figures, whilst Germany’s Bundesliga was a very close second with 30.8 months. Cyprus was the worst ranked league with only 14.6 months of loyalty from players. Elsewhere in the top five, Spain came sixth with 28.5 months on average, whilst France and Italy were a tight 15th and 16th with an average of 22.4 and 21.8.
Feature image credit: Cosmin Iftode/Shutterstock
- Tottenham Hotspur has the most loyal players in the Premier League, overtaking the previous most loyal club, Manchester United, as found in our 2017 study. Spurs players spend on average 49.3 months in the team
- Aston Villa had the lowest of the Premier League clubs, payers only staying for an average of 14.9 months
- Real Madrid had the most loyal players in Europe with an average 66.8 months
- The Premier League is the league with the most loyal players
![Harry Kane with the ball](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2020/01/harry-kane-tottenham.jpg)
Most Loyal Premier League Club
Manchester United lost their crown of having the most loyal players, as found in our 2017 study, to North Londoners Tottenham Hotspur whose players stay for an average of 49.3 months - no doubt with thanks to young youth players like Harry Kane, and the lack of signings. However Spurs’ fierce rivals Arsenal are at the other end of the table, finishing second bottom with an average of 21 months. Manchester City find themselves second with an average of 42 months, meaning Spurs top the table by 7.3 months. In 2017, as mentioned, Manchester United were first but have now dropped to sixth with 36.4 months on average. Only Aston Villa have a lower average with a meagre 14.9 months. Other newly promoted sides, Sheffield United and Norwich were 14th and 18th with 26.1 and 21.9 months respectively. This season’s champions elect Liverpool made it fifth in the list, with reduced transfer activity in the summer, clearly loyalty on Merseyside is paying off with their results and unbelievable form which will no doubt bring a first league title in 30 years.![Statistics about Premier League players loyalty by team](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2020/01/premier-league-player-loyalty.jpg)
The Most Loyal Scottish League Club
When looking at the Scottish Premiership, we found the team with the most loyal players in Scotland were current champions Celtic, with their players spending an average of 42.1 months in the first team. Celtic also beat Hibernian to the top spot by just 2.7 months. Interestingly the hoops’ fierce ‘old firm’ rivals Rangers ranked 7th out of 12, with only 17.5 months. The least loyal players in the Premiership played for St Mirren FC, staying in the first team for only 13.1 months,![Statistics about Scottish League players loyalty by team](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2020/01/scottish-league-footballer-loyalty.jpg)
The Most Loyal European Countries
Real Madrid are the side with the most loyal players in Europe, with players spending 66.8 months at the Bernabeu on average. They’re closely followed by their ‘El Clasico’ rivals Barcelona, whose players stay for around 60.6 months; a figure definitely inflated by one club man, and Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi who is in his 16th season for las blaugranes. Elsewhere on the continent Cypriot side Gil Vicente are the lowest ranking side in Europe with an average of 3.5 months.![Statistics about football players loyalty by country](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2020/01/player-loyalty-european-league-map.jpg)
Also on Ticket Gum
In-Depth Review of the Tottenham vs Man United Match Experience
![Review of the Tottenham vs Man United Match Experience](/sites/default/files/a1b53120-1cb9-4ee3-aa11-c23751cd4603.jpg)
In the latest Tottenham vs Man United match, we dive into the game highlights, key moments, and fan experiences. Discover what happened on the field and what it’s like to attend one of these highly anticipated matches.
Top Football Premier League Fixtures for 2024/25 Season
![Premier league fixtures 2024 2025](/sites/default/files/ee8a8348-19c1-492c-b54c-6f1d2b309a26.png)
Curious about the upcoming football Premier League fixtures for the 2024/25 season? This article covers all the key matches and dates you need to know, ensuring you stay up-to-date with your favorite teams’ schedules.
Key Takeaways
-
The 2024/25 Premier League season starts on August 16, 2024, with Manchester United facing Fulham, setting a competitive tone for the season.
The World’s Most Football-Crazy Countries
![The World’s Most Football-Crazy Countries teaser image](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2023/09/Feature-Image.jpeg)
With around 3.5 billion fans worldwide, football is the single most popular sport in the world, harnessing the power to captivate nations like no other sport.
Modern football, as we know it today, originated in 19th-century England, but the present-day
Ranked: The Top 10 Best Stadiums in the World
![Ranked: The Top 10 Best Stadiums in the World teaser image](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2023/06/Best-football-stadiums-FI.jpg)
It’s known as ‘the beautiful game’ for a reason. In the world of football, where passion and camaraderie converge, stadiums serve as the majestic arenas where dreams are made, legends are born, and history is written. From the roar of the crowd to the excitement of penalty shootouts, stadiums aren’t just a place to watch this incredible sport: they’re also a place for communities to gather.
Which Country Has the Fastest Footballers on FIFA?
![Which Country Has the Fastest Footballers on FIFA? teaser image](/sites/default/files/tg_blog_files//2023/03/Feature.jpg)
Football is a sport that transcends borders, cultures, and languages — uniting fans around the world in their love of the game. The same rings true for EA’s FIFA 23.
Speed is a key factor in the game, and indeed the sport as a whole.