Ashley Young has announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to a remarkable 23-year career.

The Ipswich Town defender revealed that his club’s upcoming match could be his final appearance in the game.

Reflecting on his journey, Young highlighted the iconic stadiums he played in throughout his career, from Watford FC’s Vicarage Road to Aston Villa FC’s Villa Park, Wembley Stadium, Manchester United FC’s Old Trafford, and Inter Milan’s San Siro.

He described his career as a dream fulfilled, saying the journey from his early days to Europe’s biggest stages was something he had always hoped for as a child.

Young hinted that the end has now come, stating that Saturday’s fixture might mark his final game.

Former club Aston Villa FC praised him for his contributions, noting his 250 appearances and 40 goals, and describing him as one of the club’s finest modern players.

Everton FC also congratulated him on what it called a remarkable career.