Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.

The 40-year-old, released by Everton at the end of last season, underwent a medical at Town earlier today and becomes the Blues’ fourth signing of the summer.

Young is joining purely as a player with no coaching duties and is the club’s oldest ever signing.

“Ashley has had a fantastic career and his achievements speak for themselves,” manager Kieran McKenna told the club website.

“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. It’s a very strong signing for the group and the club.”

As reported last night, Young watched the U21s friendly at Needham Market with other members of his family, with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad. It's understood Tyler has impressed and looks set to be offered terms, although as it stands he remains a trialist.

Earlier in the week, it emerged that Young was on Town’s radar but with no deal done at that stage, a move back to his first club Watford having fallen through.

Capped by England 39 times, scoring seven goals, Young senior started his career with the Hornets having joined them aged 10.

The Stevenage-born full-back or winger moved on to Aston Villa in 2007 and then Manchester United four years later and was at the club after Kieran McKenna had been promoted to the first-team staff and has praised the Blues boss.

A spell at Inter Milan, where he was in a side which won Serie A, then a return to Aston Villa followed, prior to joining Everton, for whom he made 36 appearances last season, in July 2023.

Speaking last week, Young said he is keen to keep playing in the season ahead despite hitting his forties.

Photo: ITFC

Bluewhiteboy added 07:27 - Jul 24 Sorry blue army not quite sure we get the message
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bignics added 08:26 - Jul 24 Shocking signing but…… at 57 maybe I can get a contract can’t see anything but negativity he gave away way to many fouls and penalty’s last year because he has lost his pace as you would expect at 40! There is a reason the Everton fans continued to boo him I think and will this negative signing affect us trying to get in decent players for the future as there will probably be a clause that he plays if fit.

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delias_cheesy_flaps added 09:45 - Jul 24 As long as his fitness levels are up there, and his performances are along similar lines as last season, which should be, as it's a step down in class, a 1 year deal for a player of his quality and experience is a good addition. I wish some of our so-called supporters would stop moaning, go to Carrot Road if you don't like what's happening...if you knew that much about footballers I'm sure you'd be employed by the club as a scout!!

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Marcus added 10:36 - Jul 24 I suspect will be more one of those who will benefit the squad behind the scenes more than as a first team player, however could still be useful as he did well at Everton last season. With a relatively young squad having a mature experienced player who has played at the top must be a good thing.
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Marcus added 10:49 - Jul 24 Also... perhaps he can be a candidate for PFA Old Player of the Year to bookend his career
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atty added 13:27 - Jul 24 Hutchinson going, Johnson needed in attack as only Ogbene left. Hence Clarke only RB, hence Young?
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Foreverdon_Blue added 13:39 - Jul 24 When Everton were here at Portman Rd last season, he was one of the best players on the pitch! His distribution and awareness round him were at another level and at 40 he is still pretty quick. This could be an excellent signing!
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bobble added 09:15 - Jul 26 Ok age for a goal keeper.
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