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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Sport
London - Andy Hunter

Matthew Briggs: ‘I Had Been the League’s Youngest Player – I Couldn’t Ask Why I Wasn’t Involved’

Matthew Briggs is sent on for his Fulham debut by Lawrie Sanchez in 2007 to become the Premier League’s youngest player. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters

Before Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri it was Fulham’s Harvey Elliott, and before Elliott it was Fulham’s Matthew Briggs. For 12 years Briggs held the mantle of youngest Premier League debutant, feeling both the joy of the accomplishment but also its considerable weight.

“I’m proud to have had that title and I wouldn’t take it back for the world,” says the 31-year-old. “But there is a part of me that wishes I’d just progressed slowly up the ranks.”

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