Celebrity Celebrity Relationships Celebrity Breakups Why Avril and Deryck Called It Quits "She married too young and she finally realized that," says a source close to the singer By Jessica Herndon Jessica Herndon Jessica Herndon is a former reporter at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2013. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 19, 2009 02:15PM EDT Photo: Jesse Grant/WireImage Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley seemed like the perfect rock couple. But at the age of 24, Lavigne began to see things differently, sources tell PEOPLE. “She married too young and she finally realized that,” says a source. “Avril realized she needs her own life and needs to explore things without him.” AUDIO GALLERY: Avril Dishes on Her Wedding DressThe couple – who married in 2006, when Lavigne was 21 – announced their split on Thursday after weeks of speculation of trouble in the marriage. “I am grateful for our time together, and I am grateful and blessed for our remaining friendship,” Lavigne wrote on her Web site. Another source close to the couple, says the duo was having serious problems for at least six months. But, the source states, the split is “not about Deryck wanting a kid nor is she dating anyone else.” As for rumors that Lavigne got close with pal Brandon Davis, the sources says, “There is no romance.” Avril Announces Split Both Lavigne and Whibley, 29, lead singer of the band Sum 41, are currently working on new albums. • Additional reporting by JENNIFER GARCIA Close