'It feels like the right time': James Milner retires from football aged 40

Former Liverpool, Manchester City and England midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from football. Pic: Paul Ellis/PA Wire.

Former Liverpool, Manchester City and England midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from football.

The 40-year-old, who has spent the last three years at Brighton, began his career at boyhood club Leeds and has played 24 seasons in the Premier League.

Milner broke the record for the most Premier League appearances while playing for Brighton against Brentford in February, and ends his career with a total of 658. He won three Premier League titles and a Champions League.

“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.”