Gareth Barry breaks all-time Premier League appearance record of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs

Record-breaker: Gareth Barry
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Jamie Teather25 September 2017

West Brom star Gareth Barry has broken the all-time Premier League appearance record after he started his side's clash with Arsenal on Monday night.

The midfielder took to the pitch for the 633rd time in the League just over a week after he equalled the previous record set by Ryan Giggs (632 appearances) in West Brom’s 0-0 draw at home to West Ham on September 16.

Barry already held the record for the number of Premier League minutes played, over 1,500 clear of next-highest David James on 52,871 minutes.

The 36-year-old started his career at West Brom’s midlands rivals Aston Villa, and made a total of 441 appearances for Villa over 11 years, scoring 41 goals.

Barry made his Premier League debut while at Villa in May 1998, just over 18 months after Arsene Wenger was appointed manager of Arsenal.

His first appearance was for the Villans also less than two months before the birth of Everton Midfielder Tom Davies, who he would later partner in midfield during a spell with the Toffees between 2013 and 2017, including Davies’ first Premier league start against Norwich in May 2016.

He enjoyed most success at Manchester City after moving to to Etihad Stadium for £12million in 2009, winning the FA Cup in 2011 before lifting the Premier League trophy a season later.

Barry then spent four seasons at Goodison Park, where he was named Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the Season in 2017 before signing for Tony Pulis's side last summer.

And just five games into his West Brom career, Monday’s match at Emirates Stadium marked another impressive individual milestone for the former England international