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Danny Welbeck achieved something only two other players in Premier League history have managed. The Brighton striker scored his 11th goal of the season against Liverpool at the Amex today. This milestone moment joins him with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gary McAllister in an exclusive club.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Historic Milestone: Only the third player ever to score 10+ goals aged 35+
- Best Season: Welbeck’s 11 goals is his highest tally in 17 seasons
- Elite Company: Zlatan had 17 goals at 35, McAllister netted 11
- Brighton Record: All-time top scorer in Premier League with 43 goals
An Unprecedented Achievement at Age 35
Danny Welbeck has just joined an extraordinarily rare group in Premier League history. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gary McAllister have previously scored over 10 goals in a Premier League season when aged 35 or older. Welbeck, at 35 years old, reached this elite milestone today against Liverpool.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the context of his career. After 17 years of top-flight competition, Welbeck had never recorded a season with this many goals until recently. His consistency and longevity have finally been rewarded with his most prolific campaign.
Danny Welbeck joins Zlatan Ibrahimovic in exclusive Premier League club
Justin Theroux and wife Nicole Brydon Bloom expecting first baby together
Comparing the Exclusive Elite
Zlatan Ibrahimovic set the benchmark when he fired in 17 goals for Manchester United in the 2016-17 season at age 35. Gary McAllister previously held this distinction, netting 11 times from midfield for Coventry City in the 1999-2000 campaign. Now Welbeck joins them with his 11th goal of the current season.
The difference is striking. While Ibrahimovic scored 17 goals, Welbeck and McAllister both reached the 11-goal mark. What unites them is the extraordinary physical and mental resilience required to maintain peak performance at that advanced age in professional football.
| Player | Goals | Age | Club | Season |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 17 | 35 | Manchester United | 2016-17 |
| Danny Welbeck | 11 | 35 | Brighton | 2025-26 |
| Gary McAllister | 11 | 35 | Coventry City | 1999-2000 |
Breaking His Personal Best Record
Welbeck’s 11-goal tally isn’t just historically significant. It’s also his career-best performance in the Premier League. Despite playing for Manchester United and Arsenal at the height of his powers, Welbeck never reached double figures until now. His previous best was 10 goals last season for Brighton.
This stunning form has sparked fresh calls for an England recall. However, the 35-year-old was notably absent from Thomas Tuchel’s expanded 35-man squad announced on Friday for the upcoming international break. Still, his performances suggest he remains one of the Premier League’s most influential strikers regardless of age.
Brighton’s Transformation and Welbeck’s Role
Brighton has undergone a remarkable evolution since signing Welbeck on a free transfer in October 2020. He has evolved from backup option to club legend status. In April 2025, he became the Seagulls’ all-time top scorer in Premier League history with his 31st goal. Now he sits comfortably at 43 goals for the club.
“Welbeck is ageing like a fine wine in front of goal”
— talkSPORT Analysis, March 21, 2026
What Happens Next for the Brighton Phenomenon?
With a one-year contract extension signed just weeks ago, Welbeck is committed to Brighton through June 2027. At 35 years old, he continues defying expectations about age and athleticism in elite sport. The question now becomes simple but profound: how many more seasons can the England international maintain this remarkable level?
His membership in the Ibrahimovic club proves that age is merely a number for truly elite strikers. Welbeck has joined one of football’s most exclusive and prestigious groups, cementing his legacy for generations to come.
Sources
- talkSPORT – Breaking coverage of Welbeck’s 11th goal and historic milestone
- Premier League Official – Player statistics and historical records database
- BBC Sport – Contract extension confirmation and Brighton updates
