Ashley Young’s long career in the Premier League may be reaching its final moments as Everton have confirmed they will release him and two other players.  

The Toffees are releasing the second-oldest player in the Premier League in Young, 39, who is just a few months more junior than Lukasz Fabianksi. 

Young has accumulated 438 Premier League appearances across 19 seasons in the top flight with Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and the Merseysiders.  

‘I’d like to thank both Sean and David for giving me the opportunity to play for this Club,’ Young wrote on social media. ‘To all the staff that have been on this journey thank you all for everything you’ve done and in whatever way you’ve helped trust me. 

‘Then of course You Players, I have loved every minute of every day being in and sharing the dressing room with you, we’ve had ups and downs, people going against us; but Our Togetherness inside Our dressing room has got us through tough times. 

Everton have released Ashley Young aged 39 on the back of two seasons of service

David Moyes admitted it is a ‘complicated situation’ for them with players’ contracts expiring

‘I just want to say keep being Together and move into the new stadium giving the Evertonians what they deserve, which I believe is good football, hunger, fight, desire and Winning 

‘Now to you fans, you’re a tough bunch, haha, but thank you for your support. I’ve had my doubters and haters, I’m all for it as I know you have seen the Passion, Determination, Fight and Winning Mentality I have had all throughout my career.

‘ Keep getting behind that team as you say farewell to Goodison and welcome Bramley-Moore Dock. Tomorrow is going to be full of so many emotions for everyone but let’s leave Goodison smiling and happy. UTFT.’

The club are also letting go of Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia. Goalkeeper Begovic, 37, returned to Everton at the start of the season but did not make a single appearance. Fellow custodian Virginia, 25, has been with the club since 2018 and made eight appearances for the senior team. 

Manager David Moyes said: ‘Since my return to the Club, I’ve seen what a great professional Ash is and know the leadership qualities he has brought to the squad during his time at Everton. His versatility, experience and know-how have also been really beneficial to the team and me.

‘Asmir and Joao have also worked really hard and conducted themselves impeccably.

‘On behalf of everyone at the Club, I want to thank all three players for their service and we wish them all the very best for the future.

‘This is a complicated situation in many respects, with so many players out of contract this summer. It’s important to me to speak with all of those players, individually, to give them clarity on their situations.

Goalkeepers Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia have also been let go by the Merseysiders

‘Lots of factors influence our decision-making and we’re currently working through that process with the players, which takes time. Some will have clarity by the end of this week, and for others it may get to next week, but it’s important it’s handled in the right way.

‘We also have five players on loan and we will let them know their situations in due course.’

Young has spent two years at Everton and made 68 appearances in that time, a testament to his enduring physicality and professionalism.

It is unclear what his next steps will be. One possibility that has been mentioned is a move to Wrexham, though manager Phil Parkinson says there will be a ‘no supserstars’ policy for their summer overhaul following promotion to the Championship. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Absoulaye Doucoure, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, and Seamus Coleman are also out of contract but Everton have not commented on them.