Former Aston Villa winger and full-back Ashley Young has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, bringing an end to a distinguished 23-year career. Young, who was a key figure for Aston Villa during his initial stint, confirmed the news on social media, reflecting on a journey he only dreamt of as a boy. His final professional game is anticipated to be for Ipswich Town this Saturday.

Young's extensive career began at Watford in 2003 before he moved to Aston Villa, where he established himself as a prominent Premier League talent. He later enjoyed highly successful spells at Manchester United, winning the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup. His trophy cabinet also includes a Serie A title from his time with Inter Milan.

The versatile player, who transitioned from a dynamic winger to a reliable full-back, earned 39 caps for the England national team, scoring seven goals after making his debut in November 2007. His ability to adapt and perform across different positions was a hallmark of his longevity in the sport.

Young concludes his playing days at Ipswich Town, having joined the Portman Road club for what became his final season. Despite an injury-affected campaign, making 13 appearances, his focus remains on Ipswich's push for automatic promotion from the Championship. He told Sky Sports News that his body "has started to talk to me now," emphasizing the importance of retiring on his own terms.

"It's been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy," Young shared on social media, adding, "But with this dream there has to be an ending and Saturday might be the last game of my professional career... 23 years and OUT." Despite the announcement, Young's immediate focus is "solely on getting this club promoted again and back to the Premier League."