Former Everton defender Ashley Young has revealed he requires a hip replacement, just months after announcing his retirement from football. The ex-defender called time on a 22-year career in April.
Before hanging up his boots, the 41-year-old spent a short spell at Ipswich Town, making 15 appearances during their promotion charge back to the Premier League. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Young admitted he had been managing hip issues for years.
Pain and injections
He said: "I went down on my hip in November and had an injection. I have always said to myself: 'If my body is saying you need injections, there is a problem, you need to think about retiring.' Basically I need a hip replacement, in November I was told I would need it in about 10 years time."
"I got to January and was due to have another injection which would have got me through to the end of the season, as I was saying to the specialist 'I know it is painful, but I want to make sure I do everything I can possibly do to help the team.'"
"About a week before I am about to have the injection, I go down on it in training and I am like 'this is worse, I know it is a lot worse.'"
Career highlights
A specialist subsequently informed him that his hip had deteriorated significantly and gave him a two-year timeframe within which to have it replaced. Having turned out 766 times throughout his playing days, Young accepted that the moment to walk away from football had arrived.
"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, it's been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy!" the defender wrote on Instagram, announcing his retirement. "But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the last game of my professional career. To be continued...."
The announcement prompted a host of tributes from fellow professionals, among them former Everton and Manchester United star James Garner wrote: "The best!! Congrats brother." Ex-United goalkeeper David De Gea added: "What a career." Liverpool legend and former rival Jamie Carragher continued: "Congratulations on an amazing career." The official England account commented: "Congratulations on a fantastic career!"
International and club record
Young earned 39 caps for his country, netting seven goals from a more advanced midfield role during his international career. The full-back spent two years at Everton between 2023 and 2025, clocking up 70 appearances. He also played for Aston Villa, Inter Milan and Watford before joining his final club, Ipswich Town, on a free transfer in 2025.
His son, Tyler, also signed with the Tractor Boys last year, initially linking up with the under-21s. United was where he enjoyed his longest and most productive spell, making 261 appearances across eight-and-a-half years, scoring 19 goals and providing 34 assists.
Young won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season, as well as lifting the FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.
