James Milner has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, ending a 24-season Premier League career that saw him set the all-time appearance record. The versatile midfielder, who played for six top-flight clubs and earned 61 England caps, confirmed his decision on Instagram on Monday.
Milner broke the Premier League appearance record in February while playing for Brighton against Brentford, finishing his career with 658 top-tier games. His journey began at Leeds United, where at 16 years and 356 days he became the league's youngest goalscorer. He later won two Premier League titles with Manchester City, adding an FA Cup and League Cup, before moving to Liverpool in 2015 where he secured another league title, FA Cup, League Cup, and the Champions League.
Known for his professionalism and versatility, Milner played as a full-back, winger, and emergency centre-forward in addition to his preferred central midfield role. Former Manchester City teammate Nedum Onuoha described him as 'ahead of the curve' in terms of professionalism, while ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson praised his 'unique mentality'.
Milner's dedication extended off the pitch; he learned Spanish to communicate better with teammates at Manchester City and later taught his children the language by speaking only Spanish at home. His humility was evident early in his career when, as a YTS trainee earning £70 a week, he cleaned the dressing room after first-team matches in which he had played.
Reflecting on his career, Milner wrote: 'I've been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments... But more than anything it's the people and friendships I've made throughout the game that I'll cherish for ever.' He retires having represented England at two European Championships and two World Cups.
