Former Manchester United captain wants to keep going even though he turned 40 this summer
Ipswich Town have confirmed the signing of Ashley Young on a one-year contract, bringing the 40-year-old full-back to Portman Road after his release from Everton earlier this summer.
Despite his age, the former Manchester United captain wants to keep doing a job on the football pitch.
Young told Sky Sports: “I know I’ve turned 40 but it’s not stopping me at all. I’m not hanging up the boots anytime soon. I’m ready to go out there and play again.”
Young and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna worked together in the Manchester United first team from 2018 to early 2020, so McKenna knows the player very well and what he can bring to the team.
Ipswich are playing in the Championship after getting relegated from the Premier League last season. The club will be aiming to make a quick return to the top flight.
Young’s arrival comes after the departure of last season’s starting right-back Axel Tuanzebe, who left on a free transfer and has since signed for Burnley. The Premier League winner will also be expected to provide experience and leadership in a relatively young Ipswich squad.
Young has over two decades’ worth of experience at the top level, having played for Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and most recently Everton.
He won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at Manchester United in 2013, as well as Serie A with Inter Milan in 2021.
McKenna said: “Ashley has had a fantastic career and his achievements speak for themselves. He has maintained an extremely high level of professionalism and competitiveness through his career and he is still playing at a very good level.
“We feel his leadership and experience will be valuable to the group this season and he is very hungry to contribute on and off the pitch.”
