Ashley Young has made over 450 Premier League appearances in his career.
Featured for Everton from 2023 to 2025 and left the club last summer.
Has announced his retirement after spending this season with Ipswich.
Ashley Young arrived at Goodison Park in the twilight of his professional career.
He added some much-needed experience to an Everton side that struggled at the foot of the Premier League, and made 70 appearances in two years during his time on Merseyside.
Before heading to play under Sean Dyche, Young achieved league title medals in England and Italy, and won an FA Cup, Europa League, and League Cup.
Now at 40-years-old, Young has announced his retirement from professional football, following a career that has spanned over 20 years.
Ashley Young announces his retirement from professional football
Saturday will see Ipswich Town potentially play their final match of the season against Queens Park Rangers, and Young could finish his career on a high by helping his side return to the top tier.
Young announced his retirement on X in a message that thanked all of the clubs he has featured for.
He said: “From Sefton Road to Vicarage Road to Villa Park to Wembley to Old Trafford to San Siro back to Villa Park to Goodison Park and finally to Portman Road.
“It’s been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy! But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the Last Game Of My Professional Career.
“23 years and OUT!
“To be continued….”
From Sefton Road to Vicarage Road to Villa Park to Wembley to Old Trafford to San Siro back to Villa Park to Goodison Park and finally to Portman Road. It’s been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy! But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the… pic.twitter.com/2Q6bpw51Vf
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) April 30, 2026
Young has not announced what his post-playing plans are, but he has hinted that he will be staying involved with football.
His son, Tyler, is also a professional footballer and has spent this season on loan at Chatham Town and Potters Bar Town.
Ashley Young was part of an Everton side that built a foundation
under David Moyes.
But when Young joined the Toffees in 2023, they were coming off the back of a season where they preserved Premier League status on the last day.
To make matters more difficult, in his first season, the Blues were handed two points deductions, which sent them into another relegation fight.
Young featured 31 times in the league during his first season, and 32 in his second, making him a key player during his period on Merseyside.
He did not set the world alight for Everton, but he will always be applauded for his professionalism and dedication, through such difficult times for the club.