James Milner Retires from Football at 40 — Premier League Record Appearance Holder Hangs Up Boots

James Milner, the former midfielder for England, has declared his retirement from professional football at the age of 40. The 40-year-old athlete, who concluded his career after three years with Brighton, initially launched his playing days at his childhood team Leeds United, amassing an impressive 24 seasons in the Premier League. Milner set a record for the highest number of appearances in the Premier League while playing for Brighton against Brentford in February 2026, finishing his career with a remarkable total of 658 matches. This breaks the previous record and cements his place as the most-capped player in Premier League history, having represented Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton across his career. "Having spent 24 seasons in the Premier League, I believe it's the appropriate moment to conclude my playing journey," Milner expressed in an Instagram statement that announced his retirement to fans worldwide. "From making my debut for Leeds, the team I grew up supporting, at just 16 years old and becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history, I could never have imagined the incredible path I've traveled". The…