David de Gea has brought up another Premier League landmark, becoming the first non-British player to make 400 appearances for one club.
The Spaniard was once again named in Manchester United's starting XI as they look to return to winning ways against Leeds United at Elland Road. That puts him in a select group of only eight non-British players to play 400 or more times in the Premier League.
Mark Schwarzer (514), Sylvain Distin (469), Brad Friedel (450), Shay Given (450), John O'Shea (445), Petr Cech (443), Jussi Jaaskelainen (436) and Richard Dunne (431) are also in the elite club, although they have all achieved the feat with multiple clubs.
In fact, his incredible longevity at Old Trafford means in terms of foreign goalkeepers only Bert Trautmann of Manchester City and Liverpool ’s Bruce Grobbelar can better his tally in the history of the English top flight.
De Gea arrived in Manchester more than a decade ago when Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to the club as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar. The Spaniard endured a difficult first Premier League campaign, with many questioning whether he was cut out for the more physical style.
He admitted that the pressure placed upon him almost caused him to leave, but he remained at The Theatre of Dreams and has confounded his critics, now spending more than a decade in between the United sticks.
In that time, he has won the Premier League title, an FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League. De Gea has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year on five occasions and picked out as United’s Player of the Season four times.
The 32-year-old has now drawn level with United legend Gary Neville in their Premier League appearances list, although he remains a distant 232 behind record-holder Ryan Giggs. De Gea can also move a step closer to another United record at Elland Road, as he stands just two clean sheets away from Peter Schmeichel’s record of 180 with the club.
His long-term future at United remains in question however with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season. The ex-Atletico Madrid stopper is one of the club’s highest earners and bosses are reluctant to trigger the 12-month extension in his deal and would instead like to reach an agreement on new terms.
Speaking last week, the Spain international revealed that while talks were ongoing he was confident over a positive resolution. "We’re still talking. I’m just focused on the game, that’s the most important thing, but for sure it’s going to end in a good way," he said.
“I've been in very tough moments for this club. Now I'm enjoying it more. Everyone is thinking in the same way, playing in the same way.
“The team spirit is great from everyone, everyone fights until the end, and everyone is ready from the bench to perform well. It’s great to watch the team playing and performing well."
