Milner concludes 24-season career with Premier League appearance record
The former Liverpool and Manchester City star ends his top-flight journey with 658 appearances, having helped the Seagulls secure European qualification.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, concluding a 24-season career in the English top flight. The announcement, made via Instagram, marks the end of an era for the Premier League, where Milner holds the all-time record for most appearances.
Milner officially broke the previous appearance record in February of this year and finishes his career with a total of 658 matches. His final season with Brighton saw him play 22 games across all competitions after missing the majority of the 2024–25 campaign due to injury. Despite the physical setbacks, he returned to help the club secure qualification for the Europa Conference League for the following season.
Reflecting on his journey, Milner noted the contrast between his early career and his final years. He began his professional path at Leeds United at age 16, becoming the competition’s youngest scorer at the time and the second-youngest player to make a Premier League appearance. After a brief loan spell at Swindon Town, his career path took him through Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool before he joined Brighton.
During his eight-year stint at Liverpool, Milner was integral to the club’s resurgence under Jurgen Klopp. His trophy cabinet includes the 2018/19 Champions League, the 2019/20 Premier League title, the Club World Cup, and additional domestic cups. Prior to that, he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup during his time at Manchester City.
Milner also represented England internationally, earning 61 caps between 2003 and 2016. He retired from international duty in 2016 after playing in two European Championships and two World Cups. In his retirement statement, he thanked the owners, staff, coaches, teammates, and supporters at every club, citing the friendships and unforgettable moments as the aspects he would cherish most.
