Ashley Young, in context

Ashley Young, one of Watford's most successful academy graduates, will call an end to his 23-year playing career at the end of this season. Ashley Young has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in United Kingdom.

Key facts

• Ashley Young, one of Watford's most successful academy graduates, will call an end to his 23-year playing career at the end of this season.
• Veteran Ipswich Town defender Ashley Young has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the season.
• Ashley Young in action at the 2018 World Cup (Image: Reuters).
• Young won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League during his time at Old Trafford, as well as Serie A while in Italy, and won 39 England caps after making his international debut in 2007.
• Young has featured 15 times for the Blues since joining last summer (Image: Ross Halls).

What we know

Going deeper, Veteran Ipswich Town defender Ashley Young has announced that he will retire from football at the end of the season.

On the substance, Ashley Young in action at the 2018 World Cup (Image: Reuters).

Beyond the headlines, Young won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League during his time at Old Trafford, as well as Serie A while in Italy, and won 39 England caps after making his international debut in 2007.

More precisely, Young has featured 15 times for the Blues since joining last summer (Image: Ross Halls).

It is worth noting that Mark Ashton, Town Chairman, added: “Having known Ashley for more than 20 years, from the days of his first professional contract at Watford to this season with us here, it’s been a privilege to have seen the stellar career he has had.

By the numbers

At this stage, Young has spent the last 12 months at Ipswich Town, for whom he has played just 15 times, and he has revealed he will be hanging up his boots when their campaign ends, either on Saturday or at the end of the play-offs.

On a related note, Having initially been released aged 15 in 2001, Young was soon re-signed by the Hornets academy and eventually made his first-team debut as a spindly winger in September 2003.

Going deeper, a top-flight career beckoned - and when it was clear the Boothroyd's side were destined for the drop, Young signed for Aston Villa in January 2007.

On the substance, Morphing from an attacking winger, into a wing-back and a full-back, Young - who played 39 matches for England - forced his way into Gareth Southgate's squad for the 2018 World Cup, where the Three Lions were semi-finalists.

What they're saying

“Ashley has been an exceptional character within the squad this season and has been influential in so many ways, and it’s testament to his professionalism that his full focus remains on helping the team reach its goal at the end of the season.”

“I am incredibly proud and fortunate to have achieved everything I have during my career,” he said.

The wider context

On a related note, Ashley Young celebrates at Vicarage Road (Image: Reuters).

Going deeper, Ashley Young as a Watford youngster (Image: Reuters).

On the substance, Town boss Kieran McKenna said: "Ashley's career in the game speaks for itself and it has been an honour to have worked with him, firstly at Manchester United and then here at Ipswich this season.

Beyond the headlines, the 40-year-old joined the Blues last summer, making 15 appearances.

More precisely, before his move to Suffolk, he played more than 750 times for Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Everton.

The bottom line

• A top-flight career beckoned - and when it was clear the Boothroyd's side were destined for the drop, Young signed for Aston Villa in January 2007.
• The 40-year-old joined the Blues last summer, making 15 appearances.
• Before his move to Suffolk, he played more than 750 times for Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Everton.