Ashley Young announces retirement after 39 England caps and two league titles

Jack Otway
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:38:57 +0000

Ashley Young has announced he will hang up his boots when the current campaign concludes, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year professional football career at the age of 40.

The former Manchester United skipper revealed his decision in an emotional statement, confirming that his playing days will finish alongside Ipswich Town's season.

Young has been absent from the pitch since January due to a persistent hip problem that has hampered his final campaign with the Tractor Boys.

Despite the injury setback, the veteran defender remains determined to contribute to the club's promotion push in whatever capacity possible.

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In his statement, Young reflected on the privilege of achieving his childhood ambitions throughout his lengthy career.

"I am incredibly proud and fortunate to have achieved everything I have during my career," he said.

"It's not too often you sit and think about this while you are still in the game, but I have lived my dream during the last 23 years."

The 40-year-old acknowledged that decisions about his future beyond playing will come in the weeks ahead.

However, he made clear his immediate priorities lie elsewhere.

"My full focus is on Saturday and helping this club achieve our goal, which is promotion back to the Premier League," Young stated.

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Ipswich currently occupy second place in the Championship standings and will secure their return to the top flight if they match or better the results of both Millwall and Middlesbrough when they face QPR at Portman Road on Saturday.

Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna paid tribute to the retiring defender on the club's official website.

"Ashley's career in the game speaks for itself and it has been an honour to have worked with him, firstly at Manchester United and then here at Ipswich this season," McKenna said.

Young started his career at Watford and would go on to make 110 appearances for the club.

He joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2006 and immediately flourished, becoming a popular player for Martin O'Neill.

Young would make 190 appearances for the Midlands outfit, scoring 38 goals, before moving to Manchester United in 2011.

He won the Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson, and would later become club captain. After nine years at Old Trafford, he moved to Inter Milan in January 2020 - where another league crown followed.

After additional stints with Villa, Everton and Ipswich, and 39 England caps, Young's career will now end this summer.