Ashley Young retires after 23-year career

Ashley Young, the former Manchester United and England international, announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday after a 23-year career spanning multiple clubs and major trophies.

The 40-year-old defender, who has made 15 appearances this season for Ipswich Town in the Championship, shared the news on Instagram. "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," he wrote. "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!"

Young's potential final match comes Saturday at Portman Road, where Ipswich face Queens Park Rangers. A victory would secure automatic promotion to the Premier League for the club, which Young joined on a free transfer in the summer of 2025. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his contributions. "Ashley's career in the game speaks for itself," McKenna said. "The professionalism, competitiveness and quality he displays every day has had a massive impact on the group this season and I know he wants nothing...