LONDON: Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie has emerged as the most popular name on the back of Premier League replica shirts for the second consecutive campaign.

The list is compiled from global sales data from Sporting iD, which since 1993 has developed the technology behind the official players’ and replica products.

Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge last season lifted captain Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, the League’s top goalscorer, to second and third slots.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, who signed in August 2013, was the most popular choice for fans of Arsene Wenger’s side, ranked fifth, while Juan Mata, who changed the Chelsea shirt for that of Manchester United in the January transfer window, entered the top 10 after missing out the previous season.

Sergio Aguero remained the most popular player for fans of champions  Manchester City while Eden Hazard continued to top the poll of Chelsea players, climbing to fourth overall.

Robert Thayne, Sporting iD’s global licence director, said: “After a remarkable season that went to the wire, players such as Van Persie, Suarez, Hazard and Gerrard lit up the league and captivated Premier League fans across the world.

“Supporters are clearly showing their loyalty to these players and their clubs by personalising shirts with official Premier League player names, numbers and sleeve badges.”

Top 10 selling names on Barclays Premier League replica shirts:

2013-14

1. Van Persie

2. Gerrard

3. Suarez

4. Hazard

5. Ozil

6. Rooney

7. Kun Aguero

8. Mata

9. Kagawa

10 Lampard

2012-13

1. Van Persie

2. Rooney

3. Kagawa

4. Kun Aguero

5. Torres

6. Hazard

7. Suarez

8. Wilshere

9. Chamberlain

10 Cazorla

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