Top 10 tallest football players ever: Peter Crouch still looks ‘small’

It is no surprise that in the list revealed by Soccerwayuk below, goalkeepers make up the vast majority due to the specific requirements of their position. However, a few other players at different positions like strikers or center-backs also appear. These roles benefit greatly from an impressive physique, allowing players to gain a significant advantage in duels and aerial battles.

Interestingly, almost all the world's tallest players at the moment come from Europe, specifically Northern Europe, a region known for having some of the most perfect physical genetics in the world. There are no players from the Americas or Africa in this elite height bracket. Can you guess any of these names? 

Here are the top 10 tallest football players currently making headlines or holding historical records.

Top 10 tallest football players in the world

10. Kyle Hudlin (2.06m - 6ft 9in) 

Standing at a massive 2.06m Hudlin is widely recognized as the tallest professional outfield player in British football history. The English striker first made waves in the footballing world when he joined Solihull Moors in 2020. During his golden era with the Moors between 2020 and 2022, he became a viral sensation, making 62 appearances and scoring 15 goals. His height provided a "vertical threat" that was nearly impossible for National League defenders to neutralize, often allowing him to score headers without his feet even leaving the ground.

During his career, Hudlin has also spent time on loan at clubs like AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion to further refine his technical skills. Media outlets have frequently described him as a "human skyscraper," and fans often react with disbelief when seeing him stand next to average-sized defenders. Regarding his stature, Hudlin once shared in an interview: "I use my height as an advantage, but I also want people to see my feet. I’m not just a target man; I’m a footballer who happens to be 6ft 9." 

9. Kjell Scherpen (2.06m - 6ft 9in) 

Starting our list is the Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Standing at 2.06m, Scherpen is a product of the famous Dutch youth systems. He began his professional journey at FC Emmen before moving to Ajax in 2019. His height made him a standout prospect, leading to a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League in 2021. 

Currently, he is playing for Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium on loan. Throughout his career, he has earned a KNVB Cup and an Eredivisie title with Ajax. Scherpen has often commented that his height helps him "make the goal look smaller" for strikers. He has also represented the Netherlands at various youth levels and was called up to the senior team in 2022.

8. Tonny Brogaard (2.06m - 6ft 9in) 

Known by the nickname "The gentle giant," this Danish goalkeeper stood at 2.06m. Brogaard had a journeyman career, most notably signing for Doncaster Rovers in England in 2005. Although his time in England was short and he struggled to find consistent first-team minutes, his height remained a topic of fascination. 

He spent much of his career in Denmark with clubs like BK Frem and Greve IF. He retired in 2015, leaving a legacy as one of the tallest professionals to ever grace the Danish leagues.

7. Isaak Touré (2.06m - 6ft 9in) 

The only defender in this elite tier, Isaak Touré is a French powerhouse. At 2.06m, he possesses a rare combination of height and mobility. He rose to prominence at Le Havre before earning a high-profile move to Marseille in 2022. Currently on loan at Udinese in Italy as of early 2026, Touré has become a nightmare for attackers in Serie A. His reach allows him to intercept passes that others cannot. 

Touré has represented France up to the U21 level and is widely expected to be a future pillar of the senior national team.

6. Tomas Holy (2.06m - 6ft 9in) 

The Czech goalkeeper Tomas Holy has spent a significant portion of his career in England. Standing at 2.06m, he became a fan favorite at Gillingham and later Ipswich Town. His height allowed him to claim crosses with ease, a trait highly valued in the physical English lower leagues. Holy has often shared that his height was a challenge during his youth, but he learned to master his body to become a professional. He currently plays for Carlisle United.

5. Paul Millar (2.08m - 6ft 10in) 

Paul Millar is a legendary figure in Scottish lower-league football. Standing at 2.08m, the striker played for Elgin City between 2010 and 2014. He is famously remembered for being so tall that the club had to heighten the entrance to the dugout. His most productive spell saw him score 15 goals in 66 league games for Elgin. 

Unfortunately, a severe ACL injury in 2013 cut his peak years short. He remains the tallest player to ever play in the Scottish Professional Football League.

4. Kristof Van Hout (2.08m - 6ft 10in) 

The Belgian goalkeeper Kristof Van Hout is a true icon of the "giant" category. At 2.08m, he enjoyed a successful career with clubs like Standard Liège, Genk, and Westerlo. His golden era came at Genk, where he won the Belgian Cup in the 2012/13 season. 

Van Hout was not just a tall figure; his reflexes were surprisingly sharp for his size. He once stated, "People expect me to be slow, but I use my wingspan to prove them wrong." He retired in 2023 at the age of 36.

3. Jacob Samnik (2.08m - 6ft 10in) 

An American-born goalkeeper who moved to Europe to pursue his career, Samnik stands at 2.08m. He has played for clubs in Denmark and Romania, including Poli Iasi. His physical presence is his greatest asset, allowing him to dominate the penalty area during set-pieces. 

While he hasn't reached the heights of the major European leagues yet, he remains one of the tallest active professionals in the game today.

2. Simon Bloch Jørgensen (2.10m - 6ft 10.5in) 

Breaking the 2.10m barrier is Denmark’s Simon Bloch Jørgensen. Throughout his career, he played for several clubs including Accrington Stanley in England and various teams in Denmark like BK Frem. He is officially recognized as one of the tallest professional players in history. His presence on the pitch was often described by the media as "intimidating." He retired in 2022, having left a permanent mark in the record books regarding physical stature.

1. Jonathan Mertsch (2.14m - 7ft 0in) 

The ultimate giant of the football world is Jonathan Mertsch. Standing at 2.14m, the German forward is a biological marvel in the sport. He currently plays for SC Edermünde in Germany.

While his career has been spent in the amateur and semi-professional tiers, his statistics in terms of height are unmatched. He holds the unofficial record for the tallest player to ever step onto a competitive pitch. Mertsch has mentioned in interviews that he has to be careful with his joints, but the joy of scoring headers without even jumping is a unique privilege.

The 10 tallest players in history: 

Jonathan Mertsch (2.14m) - Germany

Simon Bloch Jørgensen (2.10m) - Denmark

Jacob Samnik (2.08m) - USA/Europe

Kristof Van Hout (2.08m - 6ft 10in) - Belgium 

Paul Millar (2.08m - 6ft 10in) - Scotland 

Tomas Holy (2.06m) - Czech Republic

Isaak Touré (2.06m) - France

Tonny Brogaard (2.06m) - Denmark

Kjell Scherpen (2.06m) - Netherlands

Kyle Hudlin (2.06m) - England

Soccerwayuk has just named the 10 tallest giants in football history. Which of these names impressed you the most? Peter Crouch, standing at 2.01m, might have once been a nightmare for Premier League defenders, but compared to the giants on the list above, the former English striker is clearly still quite small. 

While height isn't everything in this sport, these individuals prove that there is always a place for "towers" on the green grass. If you want to update the latest football news, explore unique perspectives through in-depth analysis, and collect valuable data before every match, visit our homepage.