Ashley Young, 40, set for shock free transfer to ex-Premier League club after Watford priced out of emotional reunion
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ASHLEY YOUNG is heading to Ipswich after a fairytale return to Watford fell through.
Young, 40, last played in the English second tier nearly 20 years ago but could be back there next season.
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Ashley Young left Everton at the end of last season and was expected to sign for Watford
Credit: Alamy
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Young was part of the Hornet team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2006
Credit: Alamy
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Young spent five seasons at Manchester United
Credit: Alan Walter - The Times
The former England star is looking for a new club after leaving Everton at the end of last season.
Young had appeared set to join Watford, where it all started for him as a kid in 1995.
But talkSPORT now report that the ex-Manchester United star will join Ipswich instead.
Watford were so keen on a reunion they even eyed him as captain.
But reports suggest wages became an issue and the Hornets will now have to watch him rock up at Portman Road instead.
Young burst onto the scene with Watford in 2003, before sealing a big-money £8million move to Aston Villa in 2007.
Since then, he's packed in 485 top-flight appearances, lifted SIX trophies with United, and even bagged a Serie A title with Inter Milan.
Now, after being released by Everton in May, the veteran full-back is ready for one last dance with the Tractor Boys.
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Ipswich and Watford go head-to-head on November 4 at Portman Road where if everything goes well will see Young take on Watford.
The return leg is February 24 at Vicarage Road.
Watford unveil 2025/26 home shirt but refuse to show key feature
Young will be linking up with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, who coached him at Old Trafford under the likes of Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
McKenna's been busy in the transfer market too, bringing in Dutch midfield dynamo Azor Matusiwa.
He's also signed ex-Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and veteran stopper David Button.
After a brutal relegation last term, Ipswich are aiming to bounce straight back to the Prem and they're banking on Young's experience to guide the way.
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