Former England international Ashley Young has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, with his illustrious career potentially culminating in Ipswich Town's crucial Championship clash against Queens Park Rangers this Saturday. The veteran winger-turned-full-back, who started his journey at Watford in 2003, is set to play his final game as Ipswich battles for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Young's distinguished career saw him represent top clubs including Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Everton. He secured major honours, winning the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup with Manchester United, alongside a Serie A title during his spell with Inter Milan. He also earned 39 caps for the England national team, scoring seven goals.

Joining Ipswich Town on a one-year deal in July 2025 after his release from Everton, Young's final season has been affected by injuries, limiting him to just 13 appearances, with 10 coming off the bench. His last outing for the Tractor Boys was on January 20 when he came on as a late substitute in a 2-0 victory against Bristol City.

Reflecting on his decision, Young stated on social media, "It's been some journey that I only dreamt of as a boy. 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." He also told Sky Sports News, "To be able to go out on my own terms is the main thing for me. My focus is solely on getting this club promoted again and back to the Premier League."

The upcoming match against Queens Park Rangers is pivotal for Ipswich Town, who currently hold the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship. They are one point ahead of third-placed Millwall and two points clear of Middlesbrough in fourth. A slip-up against Queens Park Rangers could see them drop into the play-offs, making Young's potential farewell game even more high-stakes.