Former Manchester United and England star Ashley Young has announced his retirement after a distinguished 23-year professional career.
The 40-year-old, who earned 39 England caps, played for Watford, Aston Villa, Everton, Inter Milan, and most recently, Ipswich, where he made 15 appearances this season for the Championship promotion-chasers.
Writing on Instagram, Young reflected on his extensive journey: “From Sefton Road to Vicarage Road to Villa Park to Wembley to Old Trafford to San Siro back to Villa Park to Goodison Park and finally to Portman Road. It’s been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy!
“But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the last game of my professional career – 23 years and OUT!”
England replied to his post with “congratulations on a fantastic career”, while former Manchester United team-mate David De Gea added “what a career”.
Young started out as a winger at Watford after coming through the club’s academy before joining Aston Villa in 2007.
After flourishing at the Midlands club for four years, Young got his big move to Manchester United in 2011, and went on to spend nine years at Old Trafford.
During this time, Young won the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and the League Cup.
He also showed his versatility at United by operating as a wing back or a full back.
This held him in good stead for his move to Inter Milan in 2020, where he won the Serie A title in his only season with the Italian giants prior to returning to England to rejoin Aston Villa.
Young had two more years at Villa before further spells at Everton and Ipswich.
He represented England at two major tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 with the Three Lions, and then getting to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup under Gareth Southgate.
