Ashley Young has completed a medical ahead of a one-year deal with Ipswich Town, bringing an end to his long and storied Premier League career. At 40, the former Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Everton star is preparing for a new challenge in the Championship with relegated Ipswich.
Ashley Young’s remarkable journey in top-flight English football has reached its next chapter. The veteran utility man has agreed to join Ipswich Town following their relegation from the Premier League, ending an illustrious run that saw him rack up 485 Premier League appearances across four clubs.
Now 40, Young is showing no signs of calling it quits altogether. Instead, he’s swapping the Premier League spotlight for a leadership role under Kieran McKenna in the Championship, with his medical now completed and a 12-month deal expected to be announced imminently.
Young arrives in Suffolk as a free agent following his exit from Everton. The move is widely viewed as a shrewd piece of business by Ipswich, who are determined to bounce straight back to the top flight after their single-season return was cut short. With Young’s experience, versatility, and professionalism, the Tractor Boys gain a seasoned figure who has won league titles and European honours during his time with Manchester United and Inter Milan.
While some may have expected retirement after his stint at Goodison Park, Young’s decision to drop down a division highlights his desire to keep playing—and to play a part in a competitive promotion push. It also reunites him, at least indirectly, with McKenna, who was part of the coaching setup during Young’s final years at Old Trafford.
For Ipswich, it’s a statement of ambition. Adding a player of Young’s calibre and pedigree not only boosts the dressing room but offers crucial on-pitch intelligence that could be vital in a grueling 46-game Championship campaign.
Though the Premier League chapter is closed, Ashley Young’s career continues with purpose. His presence at Portman Road will bring more than just nostalgia—it could prove a decisive edge in the club’s bid to return to the elite.
