Credit: Imago

James Barker

Thu 14 May 2026 11:53, UK

Ashley Young has officially entered into his retirement from football, as the former Everton defender takes to social media to pen a heartfelt message.

Having started his career in Watford’s first-team back in 2003, Young has enjoyed a long and successful time playing the beautiful game.

Joining Watford’s youth ranks as a 10-year-old, the versatile wide player would go on to represent some of the biggest clubs in world football.

Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Everton all sampled his talent, with his longest spell being with the Red Devils, turning out at Old Trafford from 2011 to 2020.

Young signed for Everton in the summer of 2023, and spent two seasons with the Toffees before joining Ipswich Town last summer, with his 2025-26 Premier League promotion-winning campaign at Portman Road being the last of his career.

What has Ashley Young said after entering into retirement?

A career that any footballer would be proud to have, Young has shone for many years on both the domestic and international stage.

Representing England 39 times, he was part of the Three Lions’ respective Euro 2012 and 2018 World Cup squads, helping Gareth Southgate’s side reach the semi-finals of the latter.

At club level, he won every major domestic honour there is to win in English football with Manchester United, as well as lifting the Europa League in 2016-17.

In Italy, he was part of the 2020-21 Inter side that won Serie A for the first time since 2010, and whilst not winning any major honours with his other clubs, he still enjoyed many fabulous years of quality play and production.

However, now aged 40, Young feels it’s time for him to hang up his boots, and in a lengthy and emotional message posted to his X account on Thursday, the former Everton star has spoken on his decision and looked back on his career.

“Right, time to properly sign out,” Young began.

“What can I say, it’s the right time for me to hang up my boots and call it a day on my career and what a way to go out, gaining automatic promotion, it was exactly the way I saw it happening and the reason why I signed for the club!

“I can honestly look back on my career now that’s it’s finished and say WOW, WHAT A CAREER.

“To look back and look at what I’ve achieved, the trophies I’ve won, it has been a childhood dream… dreams that you can only think of when you are young but to fulfil my dreams, I am forever grateful.

“To win a Premier League medal it leaves me speechless, there are so many other trophies that I can talk about but I think you all know the significance of a Premier League title.

“Moving to another country and helping the club to win back a Serie A title having not won one for 10 years, making history by doing so and being in a bracket of a handful of Englishmen to do it is so special!

“I have to mention representing my country. Being able to play for England at a World Cup and bring a nation together it’s another pinch me moment.

“I want to thank so many people and will get round to do doing so in person but having played for 23 years I can’t name everyone! But THANK YOU as you all know who you are!

“The hard work day-in day-out, my winning mentality, my desire, all of it I held with me from day one until my very last day.

“I can now look back properly on my career and realise what I’ve actually achieved, with particular support from help from family, friends, managers, coaches, teammates and of course fans (and even you rival ones that have given me grief.)

“It’s time to say goodbye to the playing football world and it’s time for the next chapter in my life to begin (microphone with musical note emoji) and I’m looking forward to it. Football, It’s Been Fun……….”

Ashley Young wanted to finish his career with Everton

If Young had things his way, he wouldn’t have been playing for Ipswich Town during his final season of his career.

Not that he will have much regret over that, as he’s been part of a Tractor Boys team that finished second in the Championship, booking their place back in the Premier League for next term.

However, Young revealed that he wanted a new deal at Everton before signing for Ipswich, and he was fresh off the back of a 2024-25 season that saw him make 36 appearances for the Toffees.

Alas, Everton wanted to go in a different direction, but he’s sure to still look back on his time on Merseyside with fondness, having starting 46 times in the Premier League during his two years at Goodison Park.

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