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Debut for Academy graduate: Leeds United academy graduate gets chance to make Premier League history 22 years after Whites debut

Leeds United academy graduate gets chance to make Premier League history 22 years after Whites debut

Over twenty years after making his Leeds United debut, James Milner is still going strong.

James Milner has extended his contract with Brighton for one additional year, which might allow him to become the Premier League’s all-time record appearance maker next season.

Milner, who originally arrived with Brighton on a free transfer from Liverpool last summer, joined fellow England international Danny Welbeck in agreeing to a new one-year deal. The adaptable midfield player will now use the off-season to get ready for his amazing 23rd Premier League season.

After securing the new contract, Milner expressed his excitement for the next season on the Brighton club website, saying, “I am as driven as I’ve ever been.” “I have personally had a disappointing second half due to a few injuries, but I will be ready for the start of next season,” the player said. “I really enjoyed the first half of this season as the club played in Europe for the first time.”

In November 2002, the baby-faced Leeds United academy product made his first appearance for the first team when he came off the bench to replace Jason Wilcox in an exciting 4-3 victory against West Ham United. After scoring his first goal against Sunderland the following December, Milner rose from being the second-youngest Premier League player ever to become the youngest-ever scorer in league history.

Over twenty years later, Milner has developed into a flexible midfield veteran after starting as an explosive young winger and making an astounding 634 Premier League appearances. He surpassed former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs (632) to take second place and is now aiming for Gareth Barry’s record of 653.

As a result, Milner will need to play in 20 top-tier league games the following season, up from the 15 he played in current one. But, a thigh injury that has kept the seasoned midfielder out of action since February makes it possible that Barry’s record will be surpassed in a fully healthy campaign.

since one of the greatest players to have emerged from Leeds’ academy in recent memory, Milner would have accomplished a great deal, since he has enjoyed success all around the nation since leaving West Yorkshire as part of the 2004 post-relegation fire sale.

The majority of Milner’s career was spent with Liverpool, as he amassed 230 league appearances during an eight-year period that ran from 2015 to 2023. He won the most of his significant awards there, including the 2018–19 Champions League and a third Premier League championship.

Milner won the FA Cup and League Cup at the Etihad in addition to the two league titles he had previously won at Manchester City in 2012 and 2014. The Whites academy alumnus played for Aston Villa and Newcastle United before those stints.

In the latter stages of his career, Milner has been frequently associated with an emotional return to Leeds; rumours have it that a transfer may have been in the works when Marcelo Bielsa had the Whites playing in the Premier League. Though nothing ever materialised, Daniel Farke will want to have Brighton and Milner visit Elland Road the following season, as Leeds is still on track to earn promotion through the play-offs.
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