James Milner retires bringing to an end to one of the most enduring careers in English football, announcing his retirement at the age of 40 after 24 seasons in the Premier League.
His journey began at Leeds United, the club he supported as a boy, where he made his top-flight debut in 2002 at just 16 years old and quickly etched his name into history as the Premier League’s youngest scorer at the time.
From those early days at Leeds, where he made 48 appearances, Milner’s career unfolded across some of England’s most storied clubs.
He went on to play for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, and finally Brighton, where he spent his last three seasons.
Across his career, he accumulated a remarkable 658 Premier League appearances, breaking the all-time appearance record during a match against Brentford in February while playing for Brighton.
Reflecting on his retirement, Milner said: “After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the the right time to bring an end to my playing career.”
He described a journey he “could never have dreamed of,” from debuting as a teenager to returning to top-flight football at 40 despite injury setbacks.
He also spoke warmly of his final chapter at Brighton, noting his role in helping the club qualify for Europe for only the second time in its history.
His career was defined not only by longevity but also by success. At Manchester City, where he made 147 appearances, he won two Premier League titles.
At Liverpool, where he played 230 games over eight seasons, he added a third league title and lifted the Champions League in 2019.
Across all clubs, he scored 56 goals and provided 90 assists, placing him among the Premier League’s most productive midfielders.
Milner also earned 61 caps for England after making his international debut in 2009 while at Aston Villa. Beyond statistics, he emphasized the human side of his career, saying the “people and friendships” formed along the way would remain his most cherished memories. He also thanked his family, crediting them for “every sacrifice, every mile travelled and every moment of encouragement.”
He concluded his statement with pride and gratitude: “I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Football has given me far more than I could have ever imagined.”
