Milner's talent in football, cricket, and long-distance running was recognised early. He representedHorsforth School in these sports and played football for amateur teams fromRawdon andHorsforth. He supportedLeeds United from childhood, joining theLeeds Youth Academy in 1996. He made his debut for thefirst team in 2002 aged 16 and gained prominence as the youngest player to score in the Premier League, and later spent time onloan atSwindon Town to gain further first-team experience. After Leeds United were relegated at the end of the2003–04 season, Milner was sold toNewcastle United.
James Philip Milner[8] was born on 4 January 1986[9] inWortley, Leeds.[10] Milner played most of his childhood football forWestbrook Lane Primary School inHorsforth, where one of his PE teachers and coaches was future Premier League refereeJon Moss, who would give him a red card two decades later.[11]
Milner was later educated atHorsforth School. Graeme Coulson, a coach fromRawdon, recognised Milner's talent and persuaded him to play for Rawdon in several tournaments, including a tournament at Rawdon Meadows, where Milner scored four goals in their victory in the final.[12]
Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11GCSEs and an award for his performance inphysical education.[12][13] He played for the Yorkshire Schools cricket team, was the cross-country champion at his school for three consecutive years and was the district champion over 100 metres for two consecutive seasons.[12] He then completed his studies atBoston Spa School,[14] a sports college which was a partner to the football club.[15]
Milner supported his hometown clubLeeds United from a young age. His earliest memory of the team was watching them win theFA Youth Cup in 1993. He and his parents, Peter and Lesley, wereseason ticket holders and Milner later became aball boy for the club.[16]
When Milner was 10 years old, he joined the Leeds United Academy after being spotted by ascout while playing for Westbrook Juniors in Horsforth.[12] At the academy, Milner played against contemporaries from other clubs in Northern England, including futureManchester United strikerWayne Rooney. His role model was Leeds-bornAlan Smith, who was then a Leeds United striker. Milner believed playing with Smith put him through a learning curve, as Smith had done what Milner aspired to do in coming through the academy and playing for thefirst team.[16] Having made good progress at the Academy, Milner was taken on as a trainee after leaving school.[12] However, his father insisted that he attend college once a week to continue his education.[17]
Milner continued to excel in the youth team, and played for England at under-15 and under-17 levels.[12][18] He helped the England under-17 team win the 2002Nationwide summer tournament againstItaly,Czech Republic andBrazil, scoring a goal against Brazil.[19]
Milner's first-team debut for Leeds came on 10 November 2002, in a match againstWest Ham United, when he came on as asubstitute forJason Wilcox for the last six minutes.[20][21] The appearance made him the second-youngest player ever to play in thePremier League, at the age of 16 years and 309 days.[22] On 26 December 2002, at 16 years and 356 days, he became the youngest player to score in the Premier League, with a goal in a 2–1 win againstSunderland.[16][23] His record was broken byJames Vaughan ofEverton in 2005.[24] In a match againstChelsea two days later, Milner scored again, with a deft first touch of the ball and manoeuvre, to avoid a tackle from Chelsea defenderMarcel Desailly.[25] The manoeuvre created a yard of space for him to deliver a curling shot from 18 yards (16 m).[25] Reporters were impressed by his overall performance in the match, especially by his desire, confidence, and ability with both feet.[26] Chelsea managerClaudio Ranieri remarked after the match that Milner had performed like a much more experienced player.[27] The performance prompted comparisons toEngland internationalsMichael Owen and Wayne Rooney, who had also come to footballing prominence as teenagers.[28]
After more appearances for Leeds, Milner signed a five-year contract with them on 10 February 2003.[29] At the start of the2003–04 season, Milner was sent on a one-monthloan toSecond Division clubSwindon Town to gain experience as a first-team player.[30] Before the stint, he saw it as a valuable experience as a player.[16] He spent a month with Swindon, playing in six matches and scoring two goals againstPeterborough United[31] andLuton Town.[32]
However, Leeds' fortunes were on the decline; the team became the subject of numerous negative stories in the media, and several first-team players were sold.[33] Milner said he believed that this experience made him emotionally stronger and taught him how to deal with team problems.[16] Leeds' eventualrelegation to theChampionship led to speculation over Milner's future at the club.Tottenham Hotspur,Aston Villa and Everton all expressed an interest in signing him.[22] Ultimately, Villa and Everton did not make offers and Milner rejected an offer from Tottenham as they were based too far from his family home, where he still lived.[34][35] Leeds insisted that he would not be sold, with chairmanGerald Krasner referring to him as "the future of Leeds".[16] Nonetheless, financial problems eventually forced Leeds to sell Milner toNewcastle United for £5 million.[36] Although Milner was not happy to be leaving the club he had supported as a child, he wished to do what was "in the club's best interest"[16] and in July 2004, he agreed a five-year contract with Newcastle.[22]
Milner made his first appearance for Newcastle United during their pre-season tour of Asia, scoring his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw againstKitchee, in Hong Kong.[37] During this tour, he took the opportunity to observe how Newcastle strikerAlan Shearer dealt with attention from fans and the media and said that his association with people like Shearer gave him a better idea of how to deal with the media.[13]
Milner's first Premier League match for Newcastle came againstMiddlesbrough on 18 August 2004, in which he played on the right of the field as awinger, despite having featured regularly on the left for Leeds.[38] When asked about this after the match, Milner said he had no preference where on the pitch he played.[38] A month later he made his debut in European competition, when Newcastle played in theUEFA Cup againstBnei Sakhnin from Israel, after coming on as a substitute forShola Ameobi.[39] In the same month, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, also as a substitute, in a 3–1 win againstWest Bromwich Albion.[40]
The situation changed for Milner after Newcastle managerBobby Robson, whom Milner considered his mentor, was sacked and replaced byGraeme Souness.[41] Under Souness, he started 13 league matches, but did not play his first full Premier League match for Newcastle until April 2005. Milner said that he was frustrated at not being used as a starter for most of the season.[42]
A clause in Newcastle's purchase ofNolberto Solano from Aston Villa resulted in Milner being loaned to Villa for the rest of the season.[44] Villa managerDavid O'Leary, who had managed Milner at Leeds, was happy to acquire Milner in this deal, saying that he believed Villa got the better of the deal and that he hoped to improve Milner as a player.[45][46] He made his Villa debut on 12 September 2005 in a Premier League match against West Ham United.[47] Five days later, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.[47] In aLeague Cup match less than a week later, he helped his team recover from being 3–1 down at half-time to win 8–3 againstWycombe Wanderers, scoring two goals in the second-half comeback.[48] Throughout the season, Milner was positive about his team. He remained confident that Villa would recover from a poor start to the season and praised the quality of the squad.[49]
Milner was generally seen as a positive signing in a season that was disappointing for Villa.[50] Milner himself also received the loan move positively, saying that he would like to join Villa permanently because of the probability of becoming a regular starter, but said that the possibility of this happening was beyond his control.[51] Manager David O'Leary confirmed during the season that he would like Milner to join the club permanently, but doubted he would be given the opportunity to sign him.[52] He even pulled out of signingRobert Huth so that he would have the funds to sign Milner permanently if the opportunity arose.[53]
The newly appointed Newcastle managerGlenn Roeder appeared to appreciate Milner's ability more than Souness and expressed a desire that he remain a Newcastle player.[54] This, as well as the departure of O'Leary and the shortage of transfer funds at Villa, meant that a deal to sign Milner permanently seemed unlikely.[55] In June, it became even less likely when Villa rejected an offer of Milner as part of a trade forGareth Barry.[56] However, the deal was resurrected when Villa were taken over by American billionaireRandy Lerner, andMartin O'Neill was appointed as new manager.[57] A move to Villa appeared to have been agreed, but at the last moment Newcastle recalled Milner and the talks broke down.[58][59]
Newcastle's players and manager Glenn Roeder reacted positively to Milner's return at the start of the2006–07 season.[60] Milner was a starter in the Newcastle team for the entire season.[58]
Newcastle made a poor start in the2006–07 Premier League, but in European competition, Milner played a key role in helping Newcastle reach the round of 16 of theUEFA Cup, playing all but one of the Magpies 12 games.[61] Rumours began to spread that he would be sold during thetransfer window in January, although both Milner and Roeder dismissed these rumours.[62]
On 1 January 2007, Milner scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw with Manchester United.[61] The goal came from a "stunning" shot from 25 yards (23 m) away.[63] He scored two more goals during the next three weeks, againstBirmingham City and then against West Ham United.[61] During the season, Milner displayed his ability to play comfortably in a range of different positions by scoring and setting up goals with both feet from both sides.[64] As a result, Milner signed a new contract at Newcastle in January, which secured his future at the club until 2011.[65][66] He signed another four-year contract in May 2007, whenSam Allardyce took over as manager of Newcastle.[67] Milner said later in the year that he was happy about his future at the club and its new manager, saying that the training sessions were "the best since I have been here".[68] Allardyce said during the season that Milner was so keen to play, he was concerned Milner would "burn out mentally [and] physically".[69] As a result, Milner played mainly as a substitute in the early part of the season.[70]
In late October, he scored Newcastle's 500th home Premier League goal in a 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.[71] A second Premier League goal of the season came fortuitously in theTyne–Wear derby from a shot intended as across.[72] Allardyce praised Milner during the season, saying he was "a hugely experienced Premier League player".[73]
After missing the final nine matches of the season due to a foot injury,[74] it was rumoured in May 2008 that Milner would be part of a transfer between Newcastle andLiverpool.[75] Despite starting the season for Newcastle and scoring in a League Cup win overCoventry City, it was revealed after the match that Milner had handed in a writtentransfer request the week before.[76]
Milner signed for Aston Villa on 29 August 2008 for a fee of £12 million,[77] and signed a four-year contract with the club.[78] Milner made his debut for Villa on 31 August 2008 as a second-half substitute against Liverpool.[79] His first goals in his second spell at Villa came in a third roundFA Cup tie againstGillingham atPriestfield Stadium on 4 January 2009 on his 23rd birthday, where he scored both goals in a 2–1 win for Villa.[80]
Milner's first Premier League goal in his second spell at Villa came on 17 January 2009 in a 2–1 win against Sunderland at theStadium of Light.[81] On 7 February 2009, Milner was named to the England senior team squad for the first time, after a run at club level that had impressed England managerFabio Capello.[82] Milner continued to impress and, on 7 February, scored his second league goal of the season againstBlackburn Rovers. This was followed by a 25-yardfree kick at home against Everton as Villa came back from a 3–1 deficit to draw 3–3 on 12 April.[83] He stated that his time at Villa was the "most settled" period of his career so far, having played for thirteen managers and caretakers despite being only 23.[84][85]
At the start of the2009–10 season, Milner moved into the centre of midfield[86] after the sale ofcaptain Gareth Barry toManchester City.[87] His goal in a win againstSunderland in December 2009 was later voted as Aston Villa's Goal of the Season.[88][89] On 28 February 2010, he scored the opening goal in the2010 League Cup final with apenalty.[90] Villa were eventually beaten 2–1 by Manchester United.[90] Milner ended the season with 12 goals and was named Aston Villa's Supporters' Player of the Year andPFA Young Player of the Year.[91]
On 19 May 2010, Manchester City made a £20 million offer for Milner which was rejected.[92] On 22 July 2010, Villa manager Martin O'Neill said that Milner had shown a desire to leave Villa for City, but would only be sold at Villa's valuation.[93] On 14 August, despite being on the verge of a move to Manchester City, Milner played in Villa's first match of the season against West Ham United, scoring Villa's third goal.[94] Milner was given a standing ovation when he was substituted near the end of the match.[95]
On 17 August 2010, it was reported that Aston Villa had agreed a deal with Manchester City to sell Milner subject to a medical.[96] The deal was reported to be worth around £26 million,[97] including a player exchange ofStephen Ireland.[98] Milner made his debut for City on 23 August 2010 in a 3–0 home win against Liverpool, where he set up the first goal for former Villa teammate Gareth Barry.[99] Milner scored his first competitive goal for Manchester City in anFA Cup third-round match atLeicester City which ended in a 2–2 draw.[100] The Leicester match was the start of a cup run that saw Manchester City reach the2011 FA Cup final.[101] Milner was an unused substitute as Manchester City beatStoke City 1–0 to win the FA Cup.[102]
Milner scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester City against Everton on 24 September 2011.[103] Two matches later, he scored his second, against former club Aston Villa in a 4–1 win.[104] The following week, Milner had a hand in two goals as Manchester City won theManchester derby atOld Trafford 6–1, inflicting Manchester United's heaviest home league defeat since 1930.[105] Over the course of the2011–12 season, Milner made 26 Premier League appearances as Manchester City won theleague title for the first time in 44 years.[106]
Milner won his firstCommunity Shield in August 2012, as City beat Chelsea at Villa Park.[107] On 6 October 2012, Milner scored his first goal of the2012–13 season from a free kick to seal a 3–0 win against Sunderland.[108] On 20 October, he received his first Premier Leaguered card in a 2–1 win at West Bromwich Albion.[109] On 13 January 2013, he scored City's opening goal in a 2–0 away win atArsenal, which was the first time a City player had scored away at Arsenal in the League since 2007, and City's first win in the league at Arsenal since 1975.[110] On 8 April, he scored in the Manchester derby as City beat Manchester United 2–1 at Old Trafford.[111]
On 10 December 2013, Milner scored the winning goal in a 3–2 win against the reigning European championsBayern Munich at theAllianz Arena in theUEFA Champions League, becoming the first English player to score for Manchester City in the competition that season.[112][113] That season would see Milner win a first League Cup winner's medal[114] and a second Premier League title.[115]
On 4 June 2015, Milner agreed to join Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City.[116][117] On 7 August 2015, Milner was announced as the vice-captain.[118] Milner played his first competitive match for the club in 1–0 win over Stoke City at theBritannia Stadium.[119] Milner captained Liverpool for the first time on his third appearance for the club, a 0–0 draw at Arsenal.[120] On 26 September 2015, he scored his debut goal for Liverpool in a 3–2 win against his former club Aston Villa at Anfield.[121] He appeared in the2016 UEFA Europa League final at the end of his first season with the club.[122] Milner ended his first season with Liverpool scoring seven goals[123] and recording 15 assists in all competitions.[124]
On 19 March 2017, Milner scored in Liverpool's 1–1 draw against former club Manchester City. In doing so, he broke a Premier League record by a player for the most matches scored in without losing (47 matches).[125] In2017–18 season, Milner assisted 9 goals in a single Champions League campaign, setting a new record previously held byWayne Rooney in2013-2014 andNeymar in2016-2017.[126]
In November 2018, Milner scored his 50th Premier League goal during a 1–1 draw at Arsenal.[127] The following month, Milner became just the 13th player (and the 2nd youngest after former Aston Villa, Man City and England teammate Gareth Barry) in Premier League history to reach 500 appearances, during a 4–0 win at Bournemouth.[128] On 1 June 2019, Milner won his first Champions League title, coming on as a substitute in the final against Tottenham, as Liverpool won 2–0 in thefinal.[129]
2019–2023: Premier League title and domestic success
On 14 August 2019, Milner won his firstUEFA Super Cup, starting the2019 match against Chelsea, as Liverpool won after apenalty shoot-out in Istanbul.[130] In December 2019, Milner signed a new contract reportedly keeping him at the club until 2022, although Liverpool did not specify the contract length.[131] Later that month, Milner came on as a substitute as Liverpool won the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in the club's history, beatingFlamengo 1–0 in thefinal.[132] On 26 December 2019, Milner scored a penalty in a 4–0 Premier League victory over Leicester City at The King Power Stadium; it would be the last goal Milner ever scored for Liverpool.[133] On 25 June 2020, Milner won his third Premier League title and his first for Liverpool.[134]
Milner was not a regular starter during the2020–21 season, amassing just 11 starts and making 26 appearances in all competitions.[135] As a result, he registered the first goalless season of his career.[136] He still remained an important player as Liverpool overcame multiple difficulties to finish third, qualifying for thefollowing season's Champions League on the final day of the season.[137]
On 16 February 2022, Milner came on as a substitute in a 2–0 Champions League win againstInter Milan to make his 800th senior appearance at club level.[138] On 27 February 2022, Milner scored Liverpool's first penalty of the shoot-out in the2022 EFL Cup final victory over Chelsea.[139] On 14 May 2022, Milner once again scored Liverpool's first penalty of the shoot-out in the2022 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.[140] On 6 June 2022, Milner signed a one-year extension with the club.[141]
On 5 October 2022, Milner made his 300th appearance for Liverpool in a 2–0 victory againstRangers in the2022–23 Champions League.[142] On 12 November, Milner came on as a substitute againstSouthampton to make his 600th Premier League appearance.[143] On 4 April 2023, in a 0–0 draw against Chelsea, Milner marked his 610th Premier League appearance, which moved him up to third place inall-time Premier League's appearance charts.[144] In May 2023, Liverpool announced that Milner would leave the club at the end of the2022–23 season upon the expiry of his contract.[145]
On 14 June 2023, Premier League clubBrighton & Hove Albion announced that Milner would join the club upon the expiry of his Liverpool contract at the end of the month. He agreed a one-year contract with the option to extend for another year.[146] He made his Brighton debut on 12 August, in the club's opening game of the2023–24 season, starting and playing 79 minutes of the match in the 4–1 home win over Premier League newcomersLuton Town.[147] On 16 September, he played in a 3–1 away win over Manchester United, to become the first player to win atOld Trafford with four different clubs, in addition to achieving a record of 11 victories in total including 6 away wins against the same opponent.[148] On 22 January 2024, Milner played his 633rd Premier League match in a home goalless draw againstWolverhampton, moving ahead ofRyan Giggs to be second inall-time appearances, only behindGareth Barry with 653.[149]
On 15 May 2024, Milner signed a new one-year deal with Brighton.[150] He featured in the2024–25 season opening match on 17 August, which ended in an 3–0 away win againstEverton, becoming the first player to play 23 Premier League seasons.[151] Later that month, on 31 August, he suffered a hamstring injury in a 1–1 away draw against Arsenal, which sidelined him for the rest of 2024.[152]
After representing England at the under-15 and under-17 levels, Milner was promoted to the under-20 level and called up for the2003 World Youth Championship, but was recalled by Leeds United four days before the opening game.[153] Soon after this, under-21 managerPeter Taylor called him up to theEngland under-21 team and Milner made his debut againstSweden on 30 March 2004.[154]
Milner scored for the England under-21 team during the 2004–05 season in a qualification match for the2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, againstWales.[155] During the match, in which he played in the centre of midfield, he set up a scoring chance forDarren Bent as the Young Lions won 2–0.[156] Despite domestic club troubles, he continued to make progress at international level, scoring the winning goal for the England under-21 team in a 3–2 win overSwitzerland. The win secured England a place in the playoff stage of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.[157]
In June, Milner competed for England at the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[158] He played in all four of England's matches and was booked in the semi-final against theNetherlands, which meant he would have missed the final.[159] The match was decided by a penalty shoot-out, in which Milner scored twice and England lost 13–12.[160] Milner was included in the under-21 squad for a friendly againstRomania, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[161] A month later, Milner set an England under-21 record by making his 30th appearance for the team in a 3–0 win againstMontenegro.[162] Historically, players with several England Under-21 appearances have not progressed to become regulars in the senior team, which has led some to doubt whether Milner would be able to successfully make the transition.[163] In October, he scored his third goal for the under-21 team in a 3–0 win overRepublic of Ireland.[164] He scored again in the return match four months later that England also won 3–0.[165]
Milner continued to be a regular and was the only player, along withJoe Hart and captainSteven Taylor, to have played in all thequalifiers for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[166] In the summer of 2009, he was in the squad for the2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden.[167] He helped set up the winning goal forMicah Richards againstFinland, and managerStuart Pearce said after the match, "The modern-day full-back can get up and down the pitch and I knew [Milner] would be comfortable".[168] In England's second match againstSpain, Milner had a penalty saved bySergio Asenjo, and scored England's second goal in a 2–0 win.[169] England faced the hosts Sweden in the semi-finals. After the match ended in a 3–3 draw, it went to a penalty shoot-out.[170] Milner was the only England player to miss in the shoot-out after he slipped just before kicking the ball, causing it to go over the crossbar.[171] England won the shoot-out 5–4 to advance to the final for the first time in 25 years.[170] England lost the final toGermany 4–0 and Milner said after the match that the team was "hurting" and that the way in which the team lost was "not good enough".[172] The final was his last match for the under-21 team.[173] His 46 appearances at under-21 level are a national record.[174]
In August 2009, Milner made his debut for the England senior team, when he came on as a substitute in afriendly match against theNetherlands for the final 23 minutes.[175] The match ended in a 2–2 draw.[175] He played again for England the following month againstSlovenia in another friendly and made his competitive debut four days later in a2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier againstCroatia, where he played the final nine minutes.[176][177] England won the latter match 5–1 to secure qualification for the2010 FIFA World Cup.[177] He was named in the squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa and was selected in thestarting lineup for England's first match of the tournament against theUnited States, although he was substituted after 30 minutes.[178] In England's third match against Slovenia, he set up the only goal of the match with a cross forJermain Defoe.[179] He captained England for the first time for the final 10 minutes of the match in a 2–1 loss againstFrance on 17 November 2010, when bothRio Ferdinand andSteven Gerrard had been substituted.[180]
Milner played in six matches duringqualifying forUEFA Euro 2012, and was named inRoy Hodgson's 23-man squad for the tournament.[181] Milner started Hodgson's first match in charge, a 1–0 friendly win against Norway.[182]He started all of England's group stage games as the Three Lions finished top of group D and qualified for the quarter-finals.[183][184][185] He started but was taken off after an hour as England were eliminated byItaly in a penalty shoot-out.[186]
On 7 September 2012, Milner scored his first and only international goal in a 5–0 win away toMoldova during2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.[187] Milner was included in Hodgson's squad for the2014 FIFA World Cup.[188] However, Milner failed to secure a regular starting place, coming on as a substitute in the final group game againstCosta Rica after England had already been eliminated, with the game ending in a 0–0 draw.[189] Milner was part of the England squad forEuro 2016,[190] but once again was unable to secure regular playing time. Milner played just five minutes in the group stage, coming on as a late substitute againstRussia,[191] and did not play in England's loss toIceland in the round of 16.[192]
On 5 August 2016, Milner announced his retirement from international duty following discussions with new England manager Sam Allardyce.[193] The England managerGareth Southgate enquired Milner's availability at the2018 World Cup,[194] but Milner declined to return to international action.[194][195]
Milner is renowned for his versatility; across his career, Milner has played as awinger,central midfielder,defensive midfielder,attacking midfielder, andfull back, with Milner's preferred position being as a central midfielder.[196][197] During his time at Leeds United and Newcastle United, Milner predominantly played as a winger.[196][38] He has been described as "comfortable on either wing".[198] He moved into central midfield during his time at Aston Villa.[196] UnderJürgen Klopp, Milner spent all of the 2016–17 season playing atleft back for Liverpool. Milner stated he did not enjoy playing as a left back but also said: "It's about whatever's best for the team and ultimately I just want to be out there playing games, contributing and helping this football club."[199][200] He also played in a holding role and in abox-to-box role on occasion for Liverpool in later seasons, drawing praise in the media for his dynamism, energy, work-rate, and consistent performances.[201]
Milner is regarded as being a tenacious footballer.[17][49][202]Manuel Pellegrini, who managed Milner at Manchester City, described him as the most complete English player in the modern game, praising his all round ability, commitment, performance level and versatility.[203] Milner is often considered to be one of the most underrated players of his generation,[204] withThe Telegraph including him at number seven in their list of "The top 20 most under-rated footballers of all time" in 2015, describing him as "hard working, reliable and intelligent."[205]
Milner has the ability to pass accurately and shoot from a great distance from goal.[198] As a result, he usually goes forward forset pieces and is often a candidate to takecorners and free kicks.[206] While Milner does not score many goals, he does have a good record at providingassists - as of August 2024 he is 9th on the all-time Premier League assist chart.[207] Critical opinion is divided as to Milner's crossing ability. While some commentators have been critical of his ability in this area, other journalists have said that Milner can produce accurate crosses.[198][208][209]
Milner, in his time at the club, was described on the Newcastle United official website as "a good reader of the game".[210] This awareness allows him to pass the ball from a range of positions to teammates making forward runs, as well as giving him the confidence to take on defenders.[206]
Milner is married to Amy Fletcher.[211] The couple have two children: a daughter and a son.[212] Milner learnt to speak Spanish to better communicate with his teammates,[213] and speaks to his children only in Spanish to ensure they too learn the language.[212][214]
Milner set up the James Milner Foundation, which holds a themed annual ball to raise money for various charitable causes.[215] He isteetotal.[214]
^Hatherall, Chris (8 October 2006)."Bent does it again". The Football Association. Archived fromthe original on 10 February 2005. Retrieved2 October 2007.
^Richard, Bright (7 September 2006)."Milner grabs late winner".The Daily Telegraph. London.Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved19 January 2011.
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