Tariq Lamptey, at 5ft 4in or 163cm, is the shortest player in Premier League history, and the average height of Premier League players is approximately 5ft 11in or 182cm.
As the 2026/27 season gets going, the shortest Premier League players still punch above their height with plenty of style.
Fun Fact: Aged just nine, Harry Kane was shown the door at Arsenal for being too diminutive. While not among the tallest Premier League players ever, he still grew to 6ft 2in.
Shortest Premier League Players Of All-Time
Tariq Lamptey (5ft 4in)
Lamptey leads the list as the shortest footballer in the Premier League era, and his pace has always made him look taller on the pitch than he is on paper.
Injury setbacks have slowed him down, and at the time of writing, he’s a free agent.
Ryan Fraser (5ft 4in)
Ryan Fraser has long been one of the smallest Premier League players, built for sharp bursts, quick feet and awkward angles for defenders.
His Premier League returns have been stop-start, but his low centre of gravity has always been part of the appeal.
Alan Wright (5ft 4in)
Alan Wright, nicknamed the Mighty Atom, was a dependable left-back whose size never stopped him from competing hard.
His Aston Villa years made him a cult favourite, and he remains one of the sharpest examples of how skill beats reach.
Billy Gilmour (5ft 5in)
Billy Gilmour is built like a classic midfield technician: neat, compact and always willing to take the ball under pressure.
His career has already taken him beyond Chelsea and Brighton, with his reputation rooted in calm passing and brave decision-making.
Ethan Nwaneri (5ft 5in)
Ethan Nwaneri first burst into the conversation at 5ft 5in with Arsenal. While he missed out on helping them fulfil their Premier League winner odds, the now 5ft 9in forward could be an option for the Gunners in 2026/27.
Jody Morris (5ft 5in)
Jody Morris was a combative midfielder who thrived on rhythm, timing and work rate rather than size.
He made his name at Chelsea by being busy, brave and difficult to play against.
Aaron Lennon (5ft 5in)
Aaron Lennon used acceleration like a weapon, turning tight spaces into open grass before defenders had time to reset.
He was one of the most recognisable wide players of his era and never needed extra inches to make an impact.
Daniel Podence (5ft 5in)
Daniel Podence brought the kind of quick feet that make defenders set themselves twice.
The Portuguese winger was always one of the shortest Premier League players to watch, but his movement and close control made him dangerous in crowded areas.
Bernard (5ft 5in)
Bernard’s Everton spell showed how craft can matter more than size.
He played with a quick first step, tidy balance and enough mischief to keep full-backs guessing.
Shaun Wright-Phillips (5ft 6in)
Shaun Wright-Phillips completed runs before opponents had finished turning, which is why he was so effective on the wing.
At 5ft 6in, he’s comfortably among the shortest Premier League players ever to light up the league.
Smallest Premier League Players in 2026/27
Far from being the heaviest players in Premier League history, Sammie Szmodics is the shortest Premier League player to watch for in 2026/27 at 5ft 6in if he features for Ipswich Town, with Manchester City’s Rico Lewis next at 5ft 7in.
FAQs
Who Is the Shortest Premier League Player in History?
Tariq Lamptey is the shortest player in Premier League history at 5ft 4in. That record has become part of the league’s folklore, and it fits a player whose game has always been built on speed and bravery.
Who Is the Shortest Player to Win the Premier League?
N’Golo Kanté is the shortest player to win the Premier League at 5ft 6in. His title-winning career has been built on reading danger early, covering ground relentlessly and making elite midfield work look easy.
What Is the Average Height of Premier League Players?
The average height of Premier League players is approximately 5ft 11in or 182cm. That makes the shortest Premier League players stand out even more, but it also shows how much variety the league still welcomes.
