10 footballers who will never leave their club

The legacies of Paolo Maldini and Ryan Giggs are examples of the charm the one-club man carriesThis is the age of the mercenary footballer. While player transfers is not a new phenomenon, never before have footballers’ transfer fees dogged their shadows like they do now. While evaluating a current player’s career, no less important than the goals and assists he has provided are the figures he has generated in the transfer market.Of course, there are exceptions. There are some greats who have valued their club’s crest and culture above all the money other places have offered, thereby permanently aligning their personal history with that of the club. Money, however, is taking over the realm of football like all other realms, and the one-club man is a dying breed.Home crowds revere this rare specimen as Gods. Paolo Maldini and Ryan Giggs are the two archetypal one-club men from recent history. AC Milan honoured Maldini’s loyal sevice for 24 years by having his jersey number retired (only his sons can choose to wear it if they make the grade)– there can only be one Number 3 in the Rossoneri history. Ryan Giggs was considered so invaluable to Manchester United that they drafted him into their coaching staff as he ran out of legs after thrilling fans for 24 years.This following list salutes some individuals who have stuck on with their club no matter how good an offer they received, or how lean a period their club went through.

#10 Darren Fletcher

There is something about Manchester United – not many people leave the club on their own volition. Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville are all examples of United’s lifelong servants in the recent past. Darren Fletcher was only eight years old when Sir Alex chanced upon his immortal Class of ‘92, but the spirit of that group must have inspired him to permanently internalize the ethos of being an United player forever.

The Scotsman joined the Manchester United youth academy in 1995 at 11 years of age, and has never looked anywhere else since. In his early days he used to play on the right wing, and was touted to be the next David Beckham. He was slated to be the youngest ever player to play for the senior team in the 1999-2000 season, but Premier League rules stipulated that he was not ready to make the big leap yet.

In the ensuing years, Fletcher gradually moved to the position of a central midfielder, and was sporadically a member of the first team. His contributions were very important in the midfield battles of attrition, but tended to be overlooked amidst star-studded line-ups. It was in the end of the 2009-10 season that Fletcher was first given the captain’s armband for the club, but subsequent spells of injuries and illnesses meant that he would still not be able to consolidate his place.

It is unlikely that the 30 year old will move to some other club at this late stage of his career, in all likelihood he shall hang up his boots before that eventuality.

Years At Club:19
Appearances(Senior Team):331
Goals:24