Key Takeaways
- Ashley Young will retire from professional football at the age of 40 after this weekend’s clash.
- The former England star won major honours including the Premier League, FA Cup and Serie A during his career.
- He hopes to help Ipswich Town secure automatic promotion to the Premier League in his final appearance on Saturday.
Ashley Young has announced his decision to retire from playing at the age of 40. The former England international will end his 23-year career following Ipswich Town’s crucial Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers this Saturday.
The veteran full-back began his journey at Watford, where he made his professional debut in 2003. Originally a winger, he later moved into defence. He went on to represent Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Everton before joining the Tractor Boys last summer.
Young earned 39 caps for the England national team after making his debut in November 2007. He scored seven goals for the Three Lions and featured at major tournaments during his international career.
His list of honours includes the Premier League title, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League from his successful spell at Old Trafford. He also lifted the Serie A trophy during his time with Inter Milan in Italy.
The current season has been challenging for the experienced campaigner. Injuries have restricted him to just 13 appearances for Ipswich, with ten of those coming from the substitutes’ bench. His last outing was a brief cameo against Bristol City in January.
The timing of his farewell carries extra significance. Ipswich currently occupy the second automatic promotion spot in the table. They sit just one point above Millwall and two ahead of Middlesbrough, meaning defeat against QPR could force them into the play-offs.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Young explained that his body had told him it was time to stop. He said he was proud to end his career on his own terms, though his immediate focus remains on helping the club return to the top flight.
On social media, Young wrote: “It has been a journey beyond what I dreamed of as a boy. But every dream must have an ending, and Saturday will likely be my final professional match.”