Ashley Young, a veteran winger who played for both Italy and England for 23 years, has announced that he will retire from professional football.
On his personal social media, 40-year-old Ashley Young made the statement, reminiscing on his path from an academy hopeful to a Premier League champion and England international.
“From Sefton Road to Vicarage Road, to Villa Park, to Wembley, to Old Trafford, to the San Siro, back to Villa Park, to Goodison Park, and finally to Portman Road,” Young posted on Instagram. When I was younger, I could only imagine this voyage! However, this ideal always comes to an end; Saturday might be the final game of my 23-year career before I depart.
He started out in Watford’s junior system before being promoted to the main squad in 2003 and making his senior debut by contributing to a goal. His ascent quickly resulted in stints at Everton, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Inter Milan.
After joining United in 2011, Young made 261 appearances across all competitions before taking up the captain’s armband at Old Trafford. Before returning to Villa and spending time at Goodison Park with Everton, his career also brought him to San Siro with Inter.
His club career at Portman Road came to an end when he signed with Ipswich Town last summer. Previous significant events included appearances at Vicarage Road, Villa Park, and Wembley Stadium.
Young added another chapter to a career spanning two decades of elite football by representing the England national football team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.
