Premier League all-time goals, assists and more records ahead of 2024-25 season

The Premier League is back, with Friday marking the start of the 2024-25 season in what is regarded as the world's best men's soccer league.

Some of the world's most popular clubs, and many of its best players, call the English top flight home. That makes for some impressive records, with past greats and current stars all setting extraordinary standards of consistent performance.

While some all-time greats like Alan Shearer, Ryan Giggs, and Wayne Rooney have set a high bar, a couple of major individual records are not too far from changing hands. Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Brighton & Hove Albion veteran James Milner are not too far from claiming a place in the Premier League's record books.

Before the new season gets underway, here are the Premier League's record holders for goals, assists, and career appearances.

Who scored the most goals in Premier League history?

While the Premier League features an impressive share of the world's best players, the record for scoring the most goals in league play appears to be safe. Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, whose tenure in the Premier League ran from 1992-2006, holds the record with 260 goals.

The leading scorer among active Premier League players, Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah, trails Shearer by 103 goals.

Here are the top five goalscorers in Premier League history:

1. Alan Shearer: 260

2. Harry Kane: 213

3. Wayne Rooney: 208

4. Andy Cole: 187

5. Sergio Agüero: 184

Who has the most assists in Premier League history?

Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs, who spent 20 seasons with the Red Devils after coming up through their academy system, has 50 more assists than any player since the Premier League began in 1992.

That record is probably secure for at least one more season, but Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is the next man on the list. If the 33-year-old Belgian midfielder plays two or three more seasons as a Premier League starter, he could be in position to overtake Giggs.

Here are the most prolific assist providers in Premier League history:

1. Ryan Giggs: 162

2. Kevin De Bruyne: 112

3. Cesc Fàbregas: 111

4. Wayne Rooney: 103

5. Frank Lampard: 102

Who has the most games played in the Premier League?

This record may fall during the 2024-25 season. The current leader, Gareth Barry, played an astonishing 653 matches in a 20-season run in the Premier League, but the longtime Aston Villa and Manchester City player retired in 2020.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder James Milner has a chance to overtake Barry this season. With 38 games in a Premier League season, Milner will have to appear in just over half of his side's games during this campaign to become the new record holder.

Here are the five players with the most games played in Premier League history:

1. Gareth Barry: 653

2. James Milner: 634

3. Ryan Giggs: 632

4. Frank Lampard: 609

5. David James: 572

How to watch Premier League this season

Premier League games will be broadcast on NBC and USA Network throughout the season, with Telemundo and Universo providing Spanish-language coverage.

To stream the games, fans will want to get a subscription to Peacock and fuboTV.

Stream the Premier League: Follow this season's action with a Peacock subscription

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Premier League: All-time goals, assists and more records