James Milner is a professional footballer who plays for Liverpool Football Club and is renowned for his versatility and ability to play whether as a winger, midfielder or fullback. The Englishman’s commitment to the game won him praise from his peers and management; one of those who have described him as the most complete English player in the modern game.
Biography (Age)
Milner was born James Philip Milner on 4 December 1986 in Wortley, Leeds where he was raised by his parents; mother Lesley, who worked as a real estate agent and father Peter, who was a quantity surveyor.
Growing up, Milner was an excellent student who excelled in his studies and sports, playing cricket, football and participating in distance running. He attended Westbrook Lane Primary School before later attending Horsforth School, where he graduated with 11 GCSEs and a Physical Education award for outstanding performance. Meanwhile, Milner had already had the opportunity to join the Academy at Leeds United, his parent club where his parents were season ticket holders.
James Milner has impressed every manager he has played in the academy and progressed through the club’s various age teams. Having already won plaudits, Leeds decided to take the young player on in training once he left school, although his father ensured his son continued his education by attending college once a week.
At the age of 16, Milner made his Leeds first team in a Premier League match against West Ham United, becoming the second-youngest player to ever play in the English top-flight division. Around a month later, Milner became the youngest player to score in the Premier League, a record since broken. The versatile youngster went on to put in stellar performances, earning him comparisons to the likes of Wayne Rooney and Micheal Owen, who first came to prominence as teenagers.
The Leeds United hierarchy rewarded James Milner with a new deal but loaned him out the following season to gain new first-team experience. He spent a month with Swindon Town before returning to his parent club which was going through difficulties off and on the pitch. The team found themselves relegated to the Championship and had to sell all of their big players due to financial constraints.
Milner was one such player when he joined Newcastle United for a fee of around £3.6million before the start of the 2004-05 season. He spent four years at Newcastle before being sold to Aston Villa in August 2008 for a fee of around £12million. His move to the Birmingham-based club was immediate, as he previously loaned for them on loan from Newcastle in the 2005-06 season. During his second year at the club, Milner was named Aston Villa Fan’s Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year. He attributed his success to the stability he had found with coach Martin O’Neill, who had already played for thirteen different coaches in just seven years.
Following his Young Player of the Year award at the award-winning PFA campaign, Milner moved to big-money Manchester City, thanks to a player-cash deal that saw Stephen Ireland move to Villa on a commission. of 26 million pounds. Milner spent five successful seasons with City, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, an FA Community Shield and a Football League Cup, before joining his current club Liverpool on a free transfer in June 2015.
James Milner’s family – wife
James Milner is married to his longtime girlfriend, Amy Fletcher, whom he met before starting his football career with Leeds United around two decades ago. The couple have been inseparable since their paths crossed, although little is known about their relationship as Fletcher has chosen to stay away while her husband, known for his professionalism, takes care of his business in the field with diligence.
Amy Fletcher has further been credited with being the brains behind the James Milner Foundation which she runs alongside her husband. The foundation focuses on promoting healthy leisure activities benefiting young people in the UK.
Height, weight, body stats and other facts
Birth name: James Philip Milner
Date of birth: January 4, 1986
Place of birth: Wortley, Leeds.
Nationality: England
Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m)
Weight: 70 kg (154 lbs)
Zodiac sign: Capricorn