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Considered a ‘model pro’ Milner is widely admired for his durability
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The midfielder has broken several records across a long and distinguished career
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A Premier League star for two decades, he has amassed a considerable personal fortune
Born in Wortley, Leeds on January 6th, 1986, James Philip Milner burst onto the Premier League scene by making his professional debut for Leeds United, aged just 16.
Six weeks later he scored his first goal, in doing so becoming the youngest player to score in the competition’s history.
Milner quickly established himself as an Elland Road favourite, admired for his endeavour and versatility, qualities that are still attributed to him two decades on.
Financial problems at his hometown club however, led to him being sold to Newcastle until again monetary issues arose, meaning that he was moved on to Aston Villa in 2008 for a fee of £12m.
It is hard to imagine the present-day Newcastle needing such funds, being a very different club these days.
At Villa Park, the midfielder received the first of his 61 England caps, but it was at his final two clubs – Manchester City and Liverpool - where Milner’s reputation soared, viewed as an integral component in two title-winning sides.
A widespread appreciation of his durability and consistency meanwhile has resulted in the player’s name becoming shorthand for the best qualities of a modern-day footballer. In a nation’s eyes he is the ultimate model professional.
All of which adds up to quite a career, and one that has furnished James Milner with considerable wealth.
Net Worth
The midfielder’s estimated fortune lies just south of £25m, a figure that is comparable to many of his Liverpool team-mates, including Jordan Henderson.
In a similar vein to Henderson, the vast majority of his wealth has been sourced from earnings and signing-on fees, with commercial activities kept to an absolute minimum.
In keeping with his reputation as a model pro – a player who is only interested in training, then resting so as to best train again – this is not a player who casually lends his face and name to endless products, far from it.
Even so, for the duration of his long career, Milner has exclusively only worn Nike boots, an affiliation that pays well, while in recent years he has participated in ad campaigns for Nivea, though this is largely a commercial enterprise involving his club, Liverpool.
Elsewhere, much of Milner’s off-the-pitch commitments are connected to his charitable foundation, that raises money for Help For Heroes and the NSPCC.
All of which is highly commendable, but that is not to suggest Milner is not handsomely compensated for this footballing ability.
Having spent the entirety of his adult life as a Premier League player, Milner has been richly rewarded for his services and in 2016 it was revealed in a Sunday Times Rich list, that the Reds star is the tenth wealthiest footballer in the top-flight.
To give an example as to how and why this came to be, in June of 2022, the 36-year-old signed a one-year extension to his existing contract. It is a deal that equates to £140,000 a week, pre-bonuses. That’s £7.2m a year basic.
Honours
Milner’s longevity is remarkable and much remarked upon, with his current tally of Premier League appearances fast approaching the 600-mark. Only three other players can top that.
For a good while it seemed that this rare, enduring omnipresence would define his career with only a PFA Young Player of the Year award glinting in his trophy cabinet, alongside a InterToto Cup winner’s medal won at Newcastle. The competition was abolished in 2008.
Only then came a big-money move to Manchester City in 2010 and surrounded by elite players, Milner proved his worth with his dynamism and intelligent running playing a big part in the Blues winning a clean sweep of domestic honours during his time there.
At the Etihad, he won the league twice, along with the FA Cup and League Cup as the Blues ascended into the hierarchy of English football. Our EPL predictions tip further success for them in 2022/23.
Surprisingly switching to City’s rivals Liverpool in 2015, after running down his contract, prompted criticism from some quarters but for Milner it was a dream move and it’s one that has brought even greater acclaim, all the while securing his legacy as a Premier League legend.
At Anfield another Premier League title was won, as well as a plethora of domestic honours. Surpassing all of this, a Champions League is cherished from Liverpool’s triumph over Tottenham in 2019.
Away from football, Milner was awarded an OBE this year for his dedication to his sport and outstanding charitable work.
Liverpool
Joining the Reds six months shy of his 30th birthday, Milner has ensured that the final chapters to his footballing story makes for a rip-roaring read.
Embracing an elder statesman role, he has proven to be an impeccable example for the perhaps more illustrious names around him, always giving 100%; often out-running team-mates nearly half his age.
His versatility alone has been priceless as Liverpool embark on one long and demanding campaign after another. During his time on Merseyside, he has been deployed across the midfield, as well as filling in for both full-back positions.
"Nothing we have achieved in the last few years would have happened without James Milner."
That’s what his manager Jurgen Klopp recently had to say, and the story hasn’t concluded yet. The latest Premier League betting has Liverpool down as second-favourites to claim another title.
England
In the summer of 2016, Milner announced he was retiring from international football, drawing a veil on seven years of action that saw him participate in two major tournaments, even if too often he was a peripheral figure in proceedings.
His personal highlight came six years prior, when a substitution of Steven Gerrard resulted in the captain’s armband being handed to the then Villa star.
Leading his country was a deserved honour for a player who paid his dues, making more under 21 appearances – 46 – than anyone else on record.
Family
Milner is happily married to his childhood-sweetheart Amy Fletcher, a makeup artist and hair stylist who has worked on several television productions. Together, they have a young son and daughter.
Earlier this year it was reported that the footballer only speaks to his kids in Spanish, to encourage them to be bilingual.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 29th August 2022
