? €70,000 for 16 years: is he the biggest bargain ever?

? €70,000 for 16 years: is he the biggest bargain ever?

In the Premier League, ever more extreme sums are being paid. Most recently, all 20 clubs spent nearly 3.6 billion euros in the summer transfer window—a new record.

Especially striking: Often, teams keep their players for only a few years or let them languish on the bench despite high transfer fees. In 2009, Everton FC took a completely different approach.

? ????????: Seamus Coleman starts a match in the Premier League for the 16th consecutive season:

✅ 2025/26
✅ 2024/25
✅ 2023/24
✅ 2022/23
✅ 2021/22
✅ 2020/21
✅ 2019/20
✅ 2018/19
✅ 2017/18
✅ 2016/17
✅ 2015/16
✅ 2014/15
✅ 2013/14
✅ 2012/13
✅ 2011/12
✅… pic.twitter.com/LwuUcExRHF

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 24, 2025

The Toffees signed Séamus Coleman from Sligo Rovers for just under 70,000 euros. Sixteen years later, it’s clear: this investment has more than paid off in the long run.

In yesterday’s 1-0 win against Manchester United, the Everton captain started his 16th consecutive season for the Toffees. Unfortunately, after just ten minutes, he had to be replaced by Jake O'Brien due to injury.

No matter—he still remains one of the greatest bargains in professional football.

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