Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame

On March 25, 2024, 7:37 PM

Former England defender Ashley Cole has become the latest player inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

Cole, 43, won the league title three times – twice with Arsenal and once with Chelsea – during an illustrious career in England’s top flight.

He was part of the 2003-04 Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ team and made 385 Premier League appearances in total.

“It’s humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career,” said Champions League winner Cole.

The former left-back made his Premier League debut in 2000 and his final appearance in the competition came in 2014. He later played for Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby.

Cole becomes the 22nd Premier League Hall of Fame inductee.

He contributed to 147 clean sheets during his Premier League career, also scoring 15 goals and providing 31 assists, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions.

“I went through my career just trying to give my best and be good enough,” Cole said. “As a young kid, you never dream of any of this and you just do it for the love of the game of football.

“I played for some fantastic clubs with incredible fans. Winning trophies with my boyhood club Arsenal and with Chelsea are amazing memories that will always be with me.

“To join the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, I’m privileged to be in their company.”

Cole, who won 107 England caps over a 13-year period, was also a seven-time FA Cup winner.

He retired from playing in 2019 and has gone into coaching, joining former England striker Wayne Rooney at Birmingham earlier this season and taking a role with the men’s England Under-21 team.