Former Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and England star Joe Cole retires from playing football

Former Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham and England star Joe Cole retires from playing football
Joe Cole has has announced his retirement.The 37-year-old made 716 professional appearances, scoring 104 goals for seven clubs, including West Ham and Chelsea and finished his career with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United Soccer League.He earned 56 England caps and appeared in three World Cup tournaments after making his debut aged 19 following an impressive start to his career at West Ham.Cole said in a statement: “After 20 years as a professional, the time has come for me to hang up my boots. It has been a dream come true. All of it.“Whatever is next, I hope the next two decades are as special as my last 20 years as a professional have been. A huge thanks to everyone who helped me along that path.”Cole joined West Ham at the age of eight and made 187 appearances, scoring 18 goals, in two spells, from 1998 to 2003 and 2013 to 2014.He made his debut as a 17-year-old in January 1999, graduating to become captain, leaving for Chelsea only after the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League in 2003.Cole won every domestic honour during his time at Chelsea, contributing to the Blues’ first championship in 50 years in the 2004/05 under Jose Mourinho.European success proved elusive as Cole was in the Chelsea side beaten by Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.A two-and-a-half-year spell at Liverpool saw Cole make just 42 appearances, scoring five goals, and included a 2011/12 loan spell in Ligue 1 at Lille, where he played alongside Eden Hazard.A season-long return to West Ham was followed by spells at Aston Villa, Coventry and then the Rowdies.Cole was part of England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ and playing alongside David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, plus Chelsea team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard.Cole scored one of England’s best World Cup goals when he lashed this effort past Sweden in 20062
Cole scored one of England’s best World Cup goals when he lashed this effort past Sweden in 2006
He added: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have played with some of the very best players of my era and even more fortunate to call a lot of them friends.“Winning trophies at Chelsea was particularly special for me. Those memories will live with me forever, as will the chance I had to share them with my family. “Looking to the future, I want to stay involved in the game. I feel I can offer a lot as a coach.“To lend my experience to help other young footballers achieve their dreams, just like I did, is a big passion of mine.”Want to see talkSPORT’s brilliant Breakfast duo Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist live on tour? Buy tickets for their London show here.

The latest transfer news and football gossip
Sunderland transfer news: Bordeaux target Josh Maja will not

Paul Pogba has been in terrific form since Jose Mourinho’s sacking

Tottenham striker Harry Kane looks set to be out of action for a month following the ankle injury he sustained late on in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United. The news will come as a
Tottenham striker Harry Kane set for two months out with

Sir Kenny still visits Melwood regularly

PAPER TALK Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool 'contact RB Leipzig' over Timo Werner, Jadon Sancho snubs Manchester United, Jose Mourinho set for Real Madrid return
Manchester United transfer news - Manchester Evening News

Vincent Janssen could be sold today

Manchester United 'agree' £86m huge striker deal as Liverpool transfer deal could see them 'on top for ten years' and Arsenal and United chase Real Madrid star - Premier League rumours
Liverpool to sacrifice Fabinho to land PSG's German superstar

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United manager in December

Chelsea 2-2 Burnley, RESULT: Blues left frustrated as they fail to take full advantage of rivals' defeats in battle for Premier League top four Jeff Hendrick volley gave Burnley the lead in the
Blues Archives - SportsAlert

Bakayoko last featured for Chelsea in pre-season

GOTTA GO 'I hope Nacho Monreal washed his hands' - Arsenal fans speculate whether defender went to the toilet during Napoli match
'I hope Nacho Monreal washed his hands' - Arsenal fans

Danny Rose has forced himself back into Mauricio Pochettino’s plans at Tottenham this season

Rangers vs Celtic: Sir Rod Stewart calls on Old Firm rivals to 'stop the bitterness' amid guard of honour controversySource: Talk SportPublished on 2019-05-10
LIVE Rod Stewart News | One News Page

Ryan Kent has six goals and nine assists for Rangers this season

'One of the biggest mistakes ever' - Adrian Durham launches scathing attack on Arsenal for allowing Aaron Ramsey to join Juventus for free Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 12, 2019 Adrian Durham has launched an astonishing attack on Arsenal for allowing Aaron Ramsey to leave for free this summer.
'One of the biggest mistakes ever' - Adrian Durham launches

Dean has shown 99 red cards
Watford star Troy Deeney ready to 'smash' Everton 'enemy

Tammy Abraham helped Villa fight back to rescue a point
Danny Rose EXCLUSIVE: 'I just wanted to get in my car and

Todibo’s rise to fame has been rapid

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo wanted by David Beckham for MLS side Inter Miami ahead of 2020 debut Written by: fpnews Posted on: March 17, 2019 David Beckham is keen to sign Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for Inter Miami CF.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo wanted by David Beckham

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the interim manager of Manchester United

Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen ace 'wants to stay' with Blues as transfer ban looms The 23-year-old has been an ever-present under Maurizio Sarri in domestic cup and Europa League games
Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen ace 'wants to stay' with

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has got Paul Pogba playing back at his best

Mar 01, 2019 · David Beckham will receive a gift in return when the Galaxy unveil a statue in his likeness in the newly built Legends Plaza outside Dignity Health Sports Park.

LEDs will cover the metal shell

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has become the fifth injury withdrawal from Gareth Southgate's England squad. The Three Lions kick-off their Euro 2020 qualification campaign at home

Post a Comment

0 Comments