James Milner announced his retirement from professional football in a heartfelt social media post. The former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder will end his glittering career at the age of 40 after the 2025-26 season.
Milner wrote: “After 24 seasons in the @premierleague, I felt it was the right time to end my playing career. From making my debut at the age of 16 with my childhood side @leedsunited, becoming the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer, to losing my footing last year and then coming back to play in @officialbhafc’s European qualifiers, the journey I’ve had so far has never been more than I could have dreamed of.” He is 40 years old for the second time in history.
“It was a pleasure to represent @nufc, @astonvilla, @mancity, @liverpoolfc and @officialbhafc, and a memorable month with @officialstfc. It has been an incredible honor. Each club has played a huge role in my life and career and I would like to thank everyone involved, including the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who have welcomed me and helped me.
The experienced midfielder won 61 caps for England and ended his international career in 2016 after discussions with then manager Sam Allardyce.
He made history in February, surpassing former Aston Villa and Manchester City teammate Gareth Barry as the Premier League’s all-time appearance holder.
He continued: “Thank you to all the fans. To everyone who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you could ever imagine. And thank you to everyone who gave me grief along the way. You all made this journey memorable and helped shape me as a player and a person.”
“To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every mile traveled, and every moment of encouragement. None of this would have been possible without you.”
“I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime. Soccer has given me more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities it has given me.”
“Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey.”
