Top 10: Tallest players in Premier League history – One Super Eagles star makes cut

The English Premier League is widely regarded as the flagship of league competitions in Europe, and it has continued to build the reputation over the past two decades, Soccernet.ng reports.

The league is known for having some of the best players in the world. Even most of the clubs are some of the richest, And interestingly, England has played host to some of the tallest players in the history of football.

A new ranking from Transfermarkt has emerged, and it shows just how tall some of the players who have played in the English top tier have been. Some really big Nigerians have played in the league, but just one makes the top ten rankings. We will dive into the top ten below.

10. Brede Hangeland – 1.99m

Norway's Hangeland spent close to a decade in the Premier League, from 2007 to 2016 playing for Fulham and Crystal Palace, and at 1.99m (6 feet 5) was a commanding presence at the back for Fulham and Crystal Palace.

9. Per Mertesacker – 1.99m

The World Cup-winning German defender played in the Premier League from 2011 to 2018, standing at 1.99m (6 feet 5). He is regarded as an Arsenal legend, as he formed a key part of the club's backline during his time in England.

8. Sasa Kalajdzic – 2.00m

Austrian striker Sasa Kalajdzic is currently in the books of Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he has failed to pin down a consistent place on the team since joining in 2022, as he has gone on separate loan deals at LASK and Eintracht Frankfurt. He stands at 2.00m (6 feet 6), making him one of the biggest men to grace the English top-flight.

7. Lorenzo Lucca – 2.01m

Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca is also a big man. His Premier League career only just started last season, as he joined Nottingham Forest on loan from Napoli. He stands at 2.01m (6 feet 7) – level with several other names higher up this list. Lucca featured in only four games for the Tricky Trees.

6. Paul Onuachu – 2.01m

The only Super Eagles star on this list is Paul Onuachu. In fact, he is just one of two African players on this list. He played in the Premier League for Southampton from 2023 to 2025, in what was the most disappointing stint of his career. He stands at 2.01m (6 feet 7).

The big Nigerian is now at Trabzonspor, and he has been pulling his weight.

5. Dan Burn – 2.01m

Newcastle's Dan Burn, has been a Premier League fixture since 2011. He currently stands at 2.01m (6 feet 7), and that is one of the reasons why he has become one of the league's most recognizable defenders. He uses his size and long legs quite well, as he is known for bullying opponents and is a fine tackler.

4. Peter Crouch – 2.01m

When you think about the tallest players in Premier League history, Peter Crouch is most likely the first name that will come to your mind. Crouch played in the English top-flight for an incredible 21 years, from 1998 to 2019, standing at 2.01m (6 feet 7) throughout a career that made his height part of football folklore. He was notorious for scoring a lot of headers. In fact, he holds the record for the most headed goals in the Premier League (53).

3. Stefan Maierhofer – 2.02m

Former Austrian forward Stefan Maierhofer had a brief Premier League spell between 2009 and 2012, and he stands at 2.02m (6 feet 8). During his time in England, he played for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He featured in nine games.

2. Nikola Zigic – 2.02m

Retired Serbian striker Nikola Zigic played in the Premier League from 2010 to 2011 for Birmingham City, and he matches Maierhofer's height of 2.02m during his time in England.

1. Lacina Traore – 2.03m

Topping the list is retired Ivorian forward Lacina Traore, who stands at a staggering 2.03m (6 feet 8). He spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Everton and he played just two games with one goal to his name. He is the tallest outfield player to ever grace the Premier League.