News Focus
- James Milner retires aged 40 after 24-year career in England’s top flight
- The midfielder leaves Brighton following the expiry of his contract this summer
- Milner holds the all-time record for Premier League appearances with 654 matches
- He won three league titles and the Champions League during spells at Manchester City and Liverpool
- The former England international made his professional debut for Leeds United at 16 years old
James Milner has officially announced his retirement from professional football. The 40-year-old brings the curtain down on a remarkable career spanning nearly two and a half decades in the Premier League.
The experienced midfielder became a free agent after his contract with Brighton ended. He spent three seasons with the Seagulls, helping them secure European qualification on two occasions.
Milner leaves the game as the most-capped player in Premier League history. He achieved the record for appearances in February, finishing with 654 top-flight matches.
His journey began at Leeds United, the club he supported as a boy. Milner made his first-team debut in November 2002 at just 16 years of age. One month later, he became the youngest goalscorer in the division’s history at that time.
During his career, Milner represented six different clubs in the English top tier. He collected three Premier League winners’ medals, claiming two with Manchester City and one with Liverpool. The 2019 Champions League triumph with the Reds stands as another major highlight.
On the international stage, Milner earned 61 caps for England. He made his debut for the national team in 2009 while playing for Aston Villa.
In a statement posted online, the veteran reflected on his time in the sport. He spoke about fighting relegation, lifting trophies, competing in Europe, and representing his country at two World Cups and two European Championships. However, he stressed that the friendships formed meant more than any silverware.
Serious injuries disrupted Milner’s 2024-25 campaign, but he returned to play 22 matches during the 2025-26 season. His final appearance came in Brighton’s last match of that term.