Former Manchester United and England international Ashley Young has confirmed his retirement from professional football at the age of 40.
Young, who is currently with Ipswich Town, said he intends to focus on helping the club secure promotion back to the Premier League on the final day of the Championship season.
In a statement on Ipswich Town’s official website, he expressed pride in his long career, saying he feels fortunate to have achieved his dreams over 23 years in the game. He added that while he will take time after retirement to reflect on his next steps, his immediate focus remains on Saturday’s crucial match.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna praised Young’s impact, describing his professionalism, competitiveness, and leadership as invaluable to the squad. He noted that the veteran defender is determined to end his career on a high by helping the club achieve promotion.
Young enjoyed a highly decorated career, playing for clubs including Watford, Aston Villa, Everton, Inter Milan, and Ipswich Town. His most successful spell came at Manchester United, where he spent nine years and won major honours including the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and League Cup.
On the international stage, he earned 39 caps for England, featuring at UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He also lifted the Serie A title with Inter Milan during the 2020–21 season before returning to English football with Aston Villa.