From teenage debutant at Leeds to Champions League winner at Liverpool, James Milner has finally hung up his boots.

It is official. After more than two decades of doing everyone else's running for them, James Milner is calling it a day.

The former England midfielder, 40, confirmed his retirement on Monday after his deal at Brighton & Hove Albion expired, according to cbinewstv. No fuss, no farewell tour, just a typically low-key social media post to close out one of the Premier League's great careers.

He bows out as the competition's all-time appearance maker, a record he broke earlier this year. Over 600 Premier League games, and not many bad ones in there.

Milner started as a fresh-faced 16-year-old at Leeds United, then went the long way round: Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City where he won two league titles, Liverpool where he added another Premier League and that unforgettable Champions League in 2019, and finally three seasons of steadying the ship at Brighton.

He was never the poster boy, but he was every manager's favourite utility man. Right-back, left-back, central midfield, wide midfield, he filled in, rarely complained, and kept his fitness levels that most pros half his age would envy.

In his statement, Milner kept it simple:

"I've been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country at two European Championships and two World Cups," he said.

"But more than anything, it's the people and friendships I've made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever."

For England, he earned 61 caps across two Euros and two World Cups, and was widely recognised for his professionalism, leadership and relentless work ethic.

It is the end of an era for English football's ultimate reliable pro. No drama, just durability. And that, in its own way, is pretty remarkable.

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