Schooled at Leeds United before embarking on an illustrious Premier League career, James Milner has decided to go into retirement after spending over 25 years at the highest level of English football
Jeremy Cross
11:53, 01 Jun 2026
Leeds United's teen sensation grew up and enjoyed a stellar career
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Leeds United's teen sensation grew up and enjoyed a stellar career
James Milner has finally brought the curtain down on a career all future footballers should aspire to having themselves.
One which saw the Premier League legend wring the maximum out of the talent he had been given.
Milner was good enough to pursue a career in professional cricket when growing up in Leeds. But the multi-talented Milner chose football instead - and cricket's loss was the gain of the national sport.
Milner, now 40, went on to spend almost a quarter of a century operating at the highest level. He made his debut for Leeds in 2002 at the age of just 16, and at the time was the second-youngest player to play in the Premier League.
Milner went on to represent six clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, making a record 658 appearances, winning 13 major trophies, including the league and Champions League titles with Liverpool. He also won 61 England caps and represented the Three Lions at three major tournaments.
He retired from international football in 2016, but remained so valuable an asset Gareth Southgate asked him to reconsider when he took charge. Milner refused, in order to prolong a club career which went on to become the stuff of legend.
The midfielder's longevity will now go down in history. And it owes much to the fact Milner never touched a drop of alcohol, never gave any of his many managers a single problem both on and off the pitch, and never took what he had for granted.
En-route to Miami for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Milner was asked if he would consider breaking his alcohol should the Three Lions win the trophy. With a deadpan reply, Milner just said, "no, why would I do that?"
Milner became a cult figure on social media after someone created a parody account called 'Boring James Milner', in reference to him being a bit dull. He took no exception and in later life, embraced something he found amusing.
He also never forgot his roots, and is said to have paid for a new clubhouse to be built at Horsforth Cricket Club, where he played as a youngster and often still visits to catch up with old friends.
Teenage James Milner celebrates scoring for Leeds
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Teenage James Milner celebrates scoring for Leeds
Milner lasted so long he played alongside Lee Clark and then his son Bobby Clark, as well as alongside Patrick Kluivert and against his son, Justin..
Milner said: "I've been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country at two European Championships and two World Cups.
"I could never have dreamed of the journey I've been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.
"But more than anything, it's the people and friendships I've made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever."
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