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Loyalty is a trait that fans of any football club hold in high regard. If a player devotes himself to the team's cause for a prolonged period of time, especially helping them come out of dire straits, they quickly become legends.
Many players, over the years, have achieved cult status for their unconditional loyalty to a football club. Paul Scholes, who didn't even have an agent as the thought of changing clubs never crossed his mind, is a certified Manchester United legend.
Similarly, Steven Gerrard, who stayed with Liverpool through the toughest of times, is also religiously worshiped on Merseyside.
Many such players are still plying their trades in one of Europe's top 10 leagues. In this article, we will look at five players who have been associated with the club in one of Europe's top 10 leagues for the longest period of time.
#5 Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Number five on the list of players who have been most loyal to their respective clubs in Europe's 10 leagues is Italy and Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini. The centre-back has been with the Bianconeri since 2005.
Chiellini, a Livorno product, joined Juventus from Fiorentina in the 2005 summer transfer window for €7.70 million. He has since spent over 20 seasons with the club, making 544 appearances for them.
He remained at Juventus during the 2006-07 season, when they were relegated to Serie B for their involvement in the Calciopoli scandal.
In 16 years, he has won nine Serie A titles and five Italian Super Cups. However, the UEFA Champions League title still eludes him. The 37-year-old is still going strong and was even named the defender of the tournament at Euro 2020 earlier this year.
Chiellini signed a two-year contract with Juventus in August this year which would see him associated with them until 2023.
#4 Francesco Magnanelli (Sassuolo)
Sassuolo captain Francesco Magnanelli is the fourth-longest serving player in Europe's top five leagues. He has been associated with the Serie A side since 2005, making 473 appearances for them.
The 37-year-old defensive midfielder joined the club when they were playing in Serie C, Italy's third division. He helped them get promoted to Serie B in 2008 and then finally to Serie A in 2013 where they have remained ever since.
Magnanelli hasn't been a regular this season, making five Serie A appearances, three of which have come from the bench.
#3 Oier Sanjurjo (Osasuna)
Osasuna captain Oier Sanjurjo, like Chiellini and Magnanelli, joined his club in the 2005 summer transfer window. Sanjurjo joined Celta Vigo on a season-long loan for the 2011-12 La Liga season in between his stay of 16+ years with Osasuna.
Majorly a defensive midfielder, the 35-year-old can play at centre-back and right-back as well. In all, he has made 339 appearances for the Osasuna senior team, 191 of which have come in La Liga.
Sanjurjo has stayed with Osasuna as the club have see-sawed from the second-tier to the Spanish top flight, proving his loyalty to Los Rojillos. He has made 12 La Liga appearances this season, playing a crucial role in guiding the club to 10th place at the moment.
#2 Mark Noble (West Ham United)
West Ham United captain Mark Noble is the second-longest serving player in Europe's top ten leagues. The defensive midfielder is a West Ham product and has been associated with the club's first team since 2004.
Noble did spend a couple of loan spells, first with Hull City in the 2005-06 season then at Ipswich Town the following season. But since 2007, he has been a constant feature in West Ham's senior side.
The 34-year-old proved his loyalty by staying with the club even after their relegation to the Championship in 2011. He scored eight goals that season and made 49 appearances across competitions to ensure that the Hammers returned to the Premier League immediately, where they have stayed ever since.
Noble, in all, has made 536 appearances for West Ham United across all competitions.
#1 Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow)
Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is the most loyal player in Europe's top ten leagues, having stayed with CSKA Moscow since 2003. A legend of the club, Akinfeev is still their first-choice goalkeeper and has made 15 league appearances this season.
Named Russia's footballer of the year in 2013, Akinfeev has overseen a lengthy period of domination for CSKA in the Russian top flight. He has won six league titles with the club, seven Russian Super Cups and six Russian Cups. He was also part of the CSKA side that won the 2004-05 UEFA Cup.
Akinfeev, in total, has made a record 689 appearances for CSKA Moscow, and is set for many more. He is also the second-most capped player for the Russian national team. Akinfeev made 111 appearances for Russia, playing his last match for the national team in 2018.
