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Premier League legend James Milner announces retirement aged 40
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- Premier League legend James Milner announces retirement aged 40
Premier League legend James Milner announces retirement aged 40
Premier League record appearance maker James Milner has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40.
After 24 years as a senior professional, the former England international released a statement on Monday revealing his decision to call it quits.
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Milner made his top-flight debut for Leeds United in 2002 when he was just 16, making him the second youngest player to play in the Premier League. He scored his first goal in December that year, making him the youngest goalscorer in the Premier League at the time.
The versatile midfielder went on to play for Aston Villa and Newcastle United before joining Manchester City , where he won two league titles, in 2010. Liverpool signed him on a free transfer five years later and it turned out to be one of the best pieces of business the club ever did.
Milner helped usher in a period of success at Anfield as the club won their sixth UEFA Champions League and first league title in 30 years under manager Jurgen Klopp.
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When his contract with the Reds expired in 2023, Milner joined Brighton , with whom he broke Gareth Barry 's all-time Premier League appearances record. He retires having played 658 times in the top flight.
Premier League legend James Milner retires at age 40
"After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career," Milner said in a statement on Instagram.
"From making my debut for Leeds, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League's youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I've been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40."
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