Ashley Young has revealed he has no plans to retire just yet, despite turning 40 in July.
The ex-England international will leave Everton when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing to an end his two-year spell on Merseyside.
Young‘s departure was confirmed ahead of the Toffees‘ final game at Goodison Park against Southampton, who came off the bench to play 72 minutes of the 2-0 win.
Since his arrival in July 2023, the former Manchester United and Aston Villa star has featured 69 times for the club.
This stint has seen Young take his total number of Premier League appearances up to 484, while he has now played 756 games in his entire professional career.
During this time he has won the Premier League with Man United, as well as twice being named in the PFA Team of the Year, on top of his 39 England caps earned between 2007 and 2018.
And while many would happily retire after such a fulfilled career, Young is not yet ready to hang up his boots, as he revealed his plans to continue playing into his forties at a new club.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, the Englishman said of his future: “It’s been one of those things where I’ve played so much this season.
“I feel so fit. I’ve not felt as fit as I have done for years. I just want to continue playing, however that may look, however that may seem, I’m not ready to retire.
“I’m definitely going to carry on next season. Whichever way that is. I’m not getting any younger. I’m going to be 40 in July.
“I feel as fit as when I was in my 20s. I’m definitely going to continue. The stats are there – I’ve played 31 times this season and I feel I can keep going.”
Young was joining talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling and Gabby Agbonlahor live on air, and admitted he hoped his next club would see him continue his remarkable Premier League playing career.
GettyThe England winger won four major trophies with Manchester United, including the FA Cup in 2016[/caption]
Since making his top-flight debut with Watford in 2006, the wideman has gone on to spend 18 seasons at the top of England’s football pyramid.
When asked if he planned to continue at this level, Young replied: “Yes, I do hope that it can be in the Premier League, but I know that age will come into it.
“Like you say, 31 appearances at 39 years in the Premier League, I don’t think I’ve become a bad player not to be able to make those appearances and rack them up. I’m delighted to have gotten those appearances.
“Hopefully there’s another one on Sunday. Then, like I say, just enjoy my holidays in the summer. Then we’ll just take it from there.”
Young will hope to turn out for Everton one last time in his side’s final Premier League game against Newcastle on Saturday.
And while his future may be up in the air beyond that, the versatile star remains fully focused on his playing career for now, having given little thought to life after football.
When asked if he would consider coaching after retirement, Young said: “No, that’s not something I’m looking at at all.
“I’ve not done my badges, even though I keep getting told non-stop to keep going and doing.
“I think for myself, playing as long as possible is what I’ll do.
“Other than that, I think going into the TV and the media stuff will be where I see myself going.”
