West Ham United: Ex Premier League Players

Where are these ex West Ham United Premier League players now?

Welcome to the West Ham United legends page – the gateway to information on ex Hammers who have played in the Premier League.

In addition to information on the clubs ex players we have also added statistics which include their top goalscorers, most appearances and also the club’s final league position for each year that they have featured in the EPL.


Rob GreenPremier League Appearances: 266 | Clean Sheets: 53

Former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green finally hung up his gloves at the end of the 2018-19 season having spent a year as back-up keeper at Chelsea. Read More..


David James – Premier League Appearances: 572 | Clean Sheets: 170

David James was playing as goalkeeper for Bristol City in the Championship at the age of 41 before being released at the end of the 2011-12 season. Read More..


Shaka Hislop – Premier League Appearances: 221 | Clean Sheets: 59

After spending most of his career at the top level with Newcastle UnitedWest Ham Unitedand Portsmouth, Shaka Hislop retired from playing in 2006 after an injury ravaged season in the MLS with FC Dallas. Read More..


Ludek Miklosko – Premier League Appearances: 169 | Clean Sheets: 47

West Ham United legend Ludek Miklosko spent 10 years in the Premier League, finally ending his career at Queens Park Rangers before retiring in 2001 due to injury.  Read More..


Jussi Jaaskelainen – Premier League Appearances: 436 | Clean Sheets: 108

Bolton Wanderer’s long-serving goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen finally hung up his gloves in 2018 after a brief spell playing in the Indian Super League with ATK. Read More..


Stuart Pearce – Premier League Appearances: 202 | Goals Scored: 20

After 746 career appearances Stuart Pearce retired from playing in 2002 and took up a role as coach at Manchester City. Read More..


Pablo ZabaletaPremier League Appearances: 302 | Goals Scored: 9

Former Manchester City captain Pablo Zabaleta finally called time on his playing days in 2020 after spending three seasons at West Ham United. Read More..


Paul KoncheskyPremier League Appearances: 347 | Goals Scored: 9

Former Premier League left-back Paul Konchesky finally hung up his boots at the age of 39 after a spell playing in non-league football with Billericay Town. Read More..


Christian Dailly – Premier League Appearances: 196 | Goals Scored: 4

A versatile player who could play in defence or midfield, Christian Dailly retired from playing in 2012 after a short spell at Southend United ending a 22 year professional playing career. Read More..


Matthew Upson – Premier League Appearances: 289 | Goals Scored: 9

The much-travelled former England defender Matthew Upson retired from playing at the end of the 2015-2016 after his release from MK Dons. Read More..


Anton FerdinandPremier League Appearances: 218 | Goals Scored: 4

Former West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand retired from playing in July 2019 after a season playing in the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren. Read More..


Julian Dicks – Premier League Appearances: 134 | Goals Scored: 24

Former West Ham United legend Julian Dicks or “The “Terminator”, as he was affectionately known by fans, finally retired from playing in 2002 after dropping out of the league to play for Canvey Island. Read More..


Steve Potts – Premier League Appearances: 203 | Goals Scored: 0

Former West Ham United legend Julian Dicks or “The “Terminator”, as he was affectionately known by fans, finally retired from playing in 2002 after dropping out of the league to play for Canvey Island. Read More..


Danny Gabbidon – Premier League Appearances: 136 | Goals Scored: 1

An immensely talented defender who played in all four English leagues, Danny Gabbidon retired from playing professionally in 2015 after he was released from Cardiff City. Read More..


Glen JohnsonPremier League Appearances: 358 | Goals Scored: 15

One of the finest English right-backs of his generation, Glen Johnson hung up his boots at the end of the 2017-18 after getting released by recently relegated Stoke City. Read More..


Ian Pearce – Premier League Appearances: 238 | Goals Scored: 11

A Premier League winner in 1995 with Blackburn Rovers, Ian Pearce retired from playing top-flight football when he left Fulham in 2008 to join his first side Oxted & District. Read More..


Tim Breacker – Premier League Appearances: 142 | Goals Scored: 3

The first choice right back at West Ham United for much of the 1990’s, Tim Breacker retired from playing in 2001 after a two year spell at Queens Park Rangers. Read More..


Paulo Wanchope – Premier League Appearances: 156 | Goals Scored: 50

Adored by the fans of all three English Premier League clubs which he played for Paulo Wanchope bowed out of professional football after a 13 year career whilst playing in the MLS with Chicago Fire. Read More..


Scott Parker – Premier League Appearances: 368 | Goals Scored: 24

A tough-tackling centre midfielder, Scott Parker finally hung up his football boots in 2017 after a 20-year playing career which saw him turn out for six different Premier League teams. Read More..


Gary O’NeilPremier League Appearances: 214 | Goals Scored: 16

Former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O’Neil finally hung up his boots at the end of the 2018-19 season after relegation to League One with his last club Bolton Wanderers. Read More..


Matthew Taylor Premier League Appearances: 325 | Goals Scored: 40

Former Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor retired from playing at the end of the 2018-19 season after two years playing in League Two with Swindon Town. Read More..


Kevin Nolan – Premier League Appearances: 401 | Goals Scored: 69

An important player for Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham United, Kevin Nolan retired from playing in 2016 after a short spell as player-manager of Leyton Orient. Read More..


Joe ColePremier League Appearances: 378 | Goals Scored: 46

A technically gifted and versatile midfielder, Joe Cole retired from playing in November 2018 after spending two seasons in the United States with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Read More..


Julien Faubert – Premier League Appearances: 69 | Goals Scored: 1

After enjoyable spells at Bordeaux and West Ham between 2004 and 2012, Julien Faubert eventually retired from professional football in 2020 after finishing his career in France playing for Étoile Fréjus Saint-Raphaël. Read More..


Slaven Bilic – Premier League Appearances: 76 | Goals Scored: 2

A fan’s favourite at West Ham United for his no-nonsense displays and ability on the ball, Slaven Bilic retired from playing in 2001 after a short spell playing back in Croatia with Hajduk Split.

As soon as Bilic retired from playing he took his first steps into management with Hajduk Split. Read More..


Frank Lampard – Premier League Appearances: 609 | Goals Scored: 177

A Premier League legend and Chelsea’s all-time top goalscorer, Frank Lampard retired from playing in February 2017 after a season playing in the United States with MLS side New York City. Read More..


Michael Hughes – Premier League Appearances: 196 | Goals Scored: 15

Arguably one of the most gifted and natural footballers produced by Northern Ireland in the last two decades, Michael Hughes retired from playing professionally in 2008 after a season at Coventry City. Read More..


Steve Lomas – Premier League Appearances: 235 | Goals Scored: 14

Having played most of his football at the top level with West Ham United and Manchester City, Steve Lomas moved down the league with Gillingham with whom he retired with in 2008. Read More..


Jack Collison – Premier League Appearances: 74 | Goals Scored: 7

A versatile midfielder who could play in the centre or out wide, Jack Collison unfortunately had to retire in February 2016 at the age of 27 after suffering from persistent knee injuries. Read More..


Jack WilshirePremier League Appearances: 182 | Goals Scored: 8

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshire hung up his boots at the end of the 2021-22 season at just 30-years of age after an injury-plagued career which saw him only play just 36 games over a four-year period. Read More..


Nigel Winterburn – Premier League Appearances: 352 | Goals Scored: 5

Nigel Winterburn’s long distinguished career in the Premier League, mostly with Arsenal came to an end in 2003 when he finally hung up his boots after playing for West Ham UnitedRead More..


Tony Cottee – Premier League Appearances: 220 | Goals Scored: 78

After retiring from playing football in 2001 Tony Cottee embarked on a career in the media and is now a regular commentator and pundit for Sky Sports on their Soccer Saturday Show. Read More..


Frederic Kanoute – Premier League Appearances: 144 | Goals Scored: 43

Frederic Kanoute retired from playing in 2013 after a long career playing in countries such as Spain, China and France as well as Premier League experience with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham UnitedRead More..


Neil Ruddock – Premier League Appearances: 195 | Goals Scored: 16

An often controversial character within the game Neil “Razor” Ruddock retired from playing in 2003 after spells at West Ham UnitedLiverpool and Tottenham HotspurRead More..


John Moncur – Premier League Appearances: 216 | Goals Scored: 10

A cult figure at West Ham United due to his combative style, flashes of brilliance and off the field antics, John Moncur retired from playing in 2003 after playing for ten consecutive seasons in the Premier League. Read More..


Mark NoblePremier League Appearances: 414 | Goals Scored: 47

West Ham United’s iconic captain Mark Noble finally called time on his playing days at the end of the 2021-22 season having spent eighteen years at the club. Read More..


Craig Bellamy – Premier League Appearances: 294 | Goals Scored: 81

The first player to score for seven Premier League clubs, Craig Bellamy hung up his boots after playing in the Premier League with his home town club Cardiff City. Read More..


Don Hutchison – Premier League Appearances: 220 | Goals Scored: 37

The much travelled Don Hutchison finally hung up his boots in 2008 whilst playing for Luton Town where he will be always be appreciated after donating his final pay packet to sponsor two youth players when the club was experiencing financial problems. Read More..


Eyal Berkovic – Premier League Appearances: 146 | Goals Scored: 17

Voted by The Times as one of the top 10 best midfielders in the history of the Premier League the often temperamental Eyal Berkovic called time on his playing career in 2006 in his native Israel whilst playing for Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Read More..


Ian Bishop – Premier League Appearances: 144 | Goals Scored: 4

Former West Ham United midfield legend Ian Bishop finally hung up his boots in 2004 after a spell in the United States playing with Miami Fusion and also the New Orleans Shell Shockers. Read More..


Trevor Sinclair – Premier League Appearances: 361 | Goals Scored: 52

Trevor Sinclair played his last professional game for Cardiff City in the 2008 FA Cup final and moved to Dubai with his wife and children. Read More..


Dean Ashton – Premier League Appearances: 62 | Goals Scored: 22

A promising Premier League career with West Ham United was cut short when Dean Ashton was forced to retire in 2009 after a long standing ankle injury sustained on England duty. Read More..


John Hartson – Premier League Appearances: 155 | Goals Scored: 55

John Hartson retired from playing in 2008 after problems with weight and fitness whilst playing for his last club West Bromwich Albion. Read More..


Paul Kitson Premier League Appearances: 99 | Goals Scored: 28

Former Newcastle United and West Ham striker Paul Kitson retired from playing in 2005 after dropping into non-league football with Rushden & Diamonds and Aldershot Town. Read More..


Teddy Sheringham – Premier League Appearances: 418 | Goals Scored: 146

After a highly successful career winning virtually every domestic honour with Manchester United, Teddy Sheringham finally retired from playing in 2008 at the age of 42 whilst at Colchester United. Read More..


Paolo Di Canio – Premier League Appearances: 190 | Goals Scored: 66

Paolo Di Canio, the flamboyant yet controversial striker retired from the game in 2008 whilst playing in Italy’s second division for Cisco Roma. Read More..


Marlon Harewood – Premier League Appearances: 137 | Goals Scored: 28

The much-travelled striker Marlon Harewood finally retired from playing professionally in 2016 after spending a season playing in the National League North with Nuneaton Town. Read More..


Matthew Etherington – Premier League Appearances: 288 | Goals Scored: 21

Former Premier League star Matthew Etherington unfortunately had to retire from playing in December 2014 at the age of 33 after failing to recover from a back injury. Read More..


Rio Ferdinand – Premier League Appearances: 504 | Goals Scored: 11

One of the greatest centre backs to ever grace the Premier League, Rio Ferdinand retired from playing at the end of the 2014-15 season after a year playing for Queens Park Rangers. Read More..


Luis Boa Morte – Premier League Appearances: 296 | Goals Scored: 29

Club captain and a huge fan’s favourite at Fulham, Luis Boa Morte retired from playing professionally in 2013 after a brief spell playing in the lower leagues with Chesterfield. Read More..


Michael CarrickPremier League Appearances: 481 | Goals Scored: 24

Former Manchester United captain Michael Carrick retired in 2018 after spending 12 seasons at Old Trafford. Read More..


Carlton ColePremier League Appearances: 289 | Goals Scored: 52

Former West Ham United striker Carlton Cole retired from playing in 2017 after a five month stint playing in the Indonesia Liga 1 with Persib Bandung. Read More..


Bobby ZamoraPremier League Appearances: 252 | Goals Scored: 47

Former West Ham United, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers striker Bobby Zamora retired from playing in 2016 after a second spell with Brighton & Hove Albion when he struggled to recover from a hip injury. Read More..


Jermain DefoePremier League Appearances: 496 | Goals Scored: 162

Prolific former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe called time on his illustrious career in March 2022 after a brief second spell at Sunderland. Read More..


Carlos TevezPremier League Appearances: 201 | Goals Scored: 84

Former Manchester City and Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez finally retired from playing in 2022 after a successful third spell at Argentinian side Boca Juniors. Read More..


Premier League Statistics

This table shows the players who have made the most appearances for West Ham United and who has scored the most goals in the EPL.

(info correct as of 28/09/21)

Top EPL GoalscorersGoalsMost EPL AppearancesGames
Michail Antonio56Mark Noble414
Paulo Di Canio47Aaron Cresswell255
Mark Noble47Carlton Cole216
Carlton Cole41Steve Potts204
Trevor Sinclair37Michail Antonio195
Andy Carroll33James Collins188
Frederic Kanoute29Robert Green177
Manuel Lanzini26Trevor Sinclair177
Frank Lampard24John Moncur175
John Hartson24Angelo Obinze Ogbonna174

Statistics provided by Statbunker

Last Updated on 27 September 2023 by Admin