Brighton midfielder and all-time Premier League appearance holder James Milner has announced his retirement after 24 seasons in the top-flight.
Milner surpassed former Aston Villa and Manchester City teammate Gareth Barry in the all-time Premier League appearance standings when starting in Brighton's 2-0 win over Brentford on 21st February, and he brings the curtain down on an illustrious career with 658 top-flight appearances to his name.
The midfielder has struggled with injuries since leaving Liverpool in 2023, but he has enjoyed three seasons on the South Coast for the Seagulls and played on 20 occasions in the 2025/26 league campaign as the club qualified for the Conference League.
Milner took to Instagram to announce his retirement. A statement read:
"After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career.
"From making my debut for Leeds United, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League's youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I've been on, right through not being able to life my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.
"To have gone on to represent Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton - not forgetting a memorable month at Swindon Town - has been an incredible privilege.
"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved - the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way."
James Milner's Premier League career in number
Appearances | Goals | Assists | |
Leeds United | 48 | 5 | 1 |
Newcastle United | 94 | 6 | 10 |
Aston Villa | 100 | 12 | 22 |
Manchester City | 147 | 13 | 24 |
Liverpool | 230 | 19 | 27 |
Brighton | 39 | 1 | 3 |
Total | 658 | 56 | 87 |
Milner made more Premier League appearances for Liverpool than any other club, joining on a free in 2015 and featuring on 230 occasions in the top-flight.
He scored 19 league goals in his time with the Reds, seven of which came in his second full campaign at Anfield in the 2016/17 term.
He won the bulk of his honours in Merseyside too, vice captain to Jordan Henderson in a Jurgen Klopp side that clinched the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup and Super cup in the space of three years.
It was with Man City where Milner got his first taste for silverware however, winning the Premier League on two occasions and the FA Cup and EFL Cup once respectively.
While the all-time Premier League appearance holder will be remembered by most for his spells with top-flight giants Liverpool and Man City, he left lasting impressions with Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton.
