Former England international James Milner has officially announced his retirement from professional football, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary 24-year career in the Premier League.
The versatile midfielder, aged 40, saw his contract with Brighton & Hove Albion expire following three seasons with the club.
Milner: “I Was Lucky Enough to Experience Unforgettable Moments”
In a heartfelt statement shared across his social media accounts, Milner reflected on a career filled with highs and historic milestones.
“I was lucky enough to experience some truly unforgettable moments — from fighting relegation battles to winning titles, playing in Europe, and representing my country at two European Championships and two World Cups,” he wrote. He added that above all else, it is the people and friendships forged throughout his journey that he will cherish forever.
Milner also looked back on his remarkable debut: “From playing my first game for Leeds United — the club I supported as a child — at 16, and becoming the then-youngest scorer in Premier League history, I could never have dreamed of the journey that followed. From not being able to lift my leg last year, to coming back and being part of Brighton reaching European competition for the second time in their history at the age of 40.”
A Historic Premier League Career Like No Other
Milner represented six Premier League clubs across his storied career and broke the all-time record for most Premier League appearances in February of last year. He began at Leeds United before going on to win three top-flight titles — two with Manchester City and one with Liverpool — and played a key role in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League triumph in 2019.
He made his Premier League debut for Leeds in November 2002 at the age of 16, becoming the second-youngest player in the competition’s history at the time. The following month, he became the youngest scorer in Premier League history, a record he now holds third place in behind Max Dönmaan and James Vaughan.
Milner earned his first England cap in 2009 while at Aston Villa and went on to amass 61 international appearances. Despite missing most of the 2024–25 season through injury, he returned to feature in 22 matches across all competitions in 2025–26, making his 658th and final Premier League appearance in Brighton’s last game of the season.
