Former England international James Milner announced his retirement on Monday as the Premier League legend called time on his illustrious career at 40.
Milner made his Premier League debut at just 16 for his boyhood Leeds United in 2002 and played 54 times for the Whites before joining Newcastle United in 2004. In the north-east, the versatile midfielder notched 136 appearances and lifted the first silverware of his career with the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2006.
After a loan spell at Aston Villa in 2006, Milner eventually returned to Villa Park in 2008 in a permanent deal worth £12million. It was during his time in the Midlands that he earned his first of 61 England caps in 2009.
His form for the Villans saw him snapped up by the riches of Manchester City in 2010, where he played 203 times and won the Premier League twice as well as the FA Cup and League Cup.
After five years in Manchester, Milner joined Liverpool on a free transfer and proved to be one of the club’s best-ever pieces of transfer business. The energetic midfielder played 332 times for Jurgen Klopp and won all there is to win during his time at Anfield.
In 2023, Milner moved to his sixth and final club when Brighton signed him as a free agent, and he played 46 times in an injury-hit spell on the south coast. It was with Albion in February he broke the Premier League all-time record for appearances, ending his career with 658 games, 56 goals and 90 assists in England’s top-flight.
Taking to X, Milner shared an emotional statement: "After 24 seasons in the @premierleague, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career. From making my debut for @leedsunited, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League’s youngest scorer.
"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 @officialbhafc qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.
"To have gone on to represent @nufc, @astonvilla, @mancity, @liverpoolfc and @officialbhafc — and not forgetting a memorable month at @officialstfc — has been an incredible privilege.
"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved — the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way."