Serie A Club AS Roma have agreed a deal with former Arsenal and Chelsea left back Ashley Cole on a two year contract with an option to extend it to another year. The veteran left back failed to reach an agreement with the Blues and decided to move on after an 8 year stint at Stamford Bridge helping the club to win its first Champions League trophy in the process.
The England International has had a successful career in the Premier League with both Arsenal and Chelsea and is regarded as one of the best left back’s of all time. A total of 3 Premier Leagues, 7 FA Cups, a Champions league and a Europa League features in his trophy cabinet.
Roma already play hosts to a one of the best right backs of all time in the form of Brazilian Maicon and now have Ashley Cole on the other flank, adding up to the much needed experience when they play in the Champions League next season.
Corporate: Ashley #Cole! @TheRealAC3 http://t.co/AJoJWu7wyf #ASR pic.twitter.com/fGMnvVWOfD
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 7, 2014
The 33-year old still has a solid two years of top quality football left in him and it is believed that Roma’s participation in the Champions League played a vital role in Cole’s decision to move to Italy amidst interests from various European and MLS clubs making him the first English player to play for the Capital club.
The former English International is likely to make his debut against familiar oppositions Liverpool and Manchester United as a part of their pre-season training. Roma travel to the US to take part in Guinness International Champions Cup, which will also feature the Premier League clubs.
Cole tweeted: Happy to have signed my contract at #roma just want to thanks everyone for ur lovely messages, Will never forget my time in England was a pleasure, but now onto a new challenge
Good Luck Ashley!