Ashley Young has announced that he will retire at the end of the season, concluding a 23-year career that includes notable tenures at Manchester United, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, and Everton.
Currently playing for Ipswich Town, the 40-year-old expressed his desire to help the club secure promotion back to the Premier League on the final day of the Championship season this Saturday.
In a statement on Ipswich Town’s official website, Young remarked:
“I am incredibly proud and grateful for everything I have accomplished in my career. It’s rare to take a moment to reflect while still actively playing, but I can truly say I’ve lived my dream over the past 23 years. Now is the time for some introspection regarding my achievements, and I will decide what lies ahead in the coming weeks and months.”
“For now, my complete focus is on Saturday and aiding this club in reaching our goal of returning to the Premier League.”
Throughout his career, Young has made 765 club appearances and netted 88 goals. At Manchester United, he won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League, while at Inter Milan, he captured the Serie A title.
Young also earned 39 caps for the England national team during his international career.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna stated: “Ashley’s accomplishments in the sport are well-documented, and it has been a privilege to work with him, first at Manchester United and now at Ipswich this season. His professionalism, competitive spirit, and skill have made a significant impact on our squad, and I know he is committed to ending his career on a high note by helping us achieve our objective.”