Ashley Cole Retires From Professional Football

Ashley Cole, a former Chelsea defender, has retired from football at the age of 38.

The ex-England left-back announced his retirement on Sky Sports, bringing an end to a 20-year playing career as the most decorated players in the history of the English game, as well as the most-capped full-back in England’s history.

He said: “After hard consideration, it’s time to hang my boots up and look towards my next chapter, which will hopefully be coaching.”

Asked to reflect on his career, which began when he made his debut for Arsenal in a League Cup tie away to Middlesbrough in November 1999, Cole added: “Incredible.

“As a young kid, I never expected to play one game or be a professional. Looking back, to be able to say I played in World Cups, Champions League finals, being lucky enough to lift Premier League titles – it’s a young kid’s dream.

“I fulfilled my dream and now I look to the future, hopefully as a great coach.”

He established himself as one of the best defenders in England at Arsenal, winning three FA Cups and two Premier League titles, one of which as a member of the famous 2004 invincible team.

Cole then made a controversial move to Chelsea in 2006, after a contract dispute with the Gunners.

He later revealed in his book that Arsenal’s offer of £55,000-a-week left him “trembling with anger”.

He won trophies at Stamford Bridge, including another Premier League title, the Champions League, the League Cup and the Europa League.

Cole also won another four FA Cups with the Blues, making him the most successful player in the history of the competition.

But he couldn’t replicate his trophy-winning feats with England.

He stated that he didn’t take his international career as seriously as he should have.

“I probably didn’t grasp it as much as I should, he said further.

“I look back now and think, ‘I played for my country over 100 times’. I’m proud of that and it’s just a little bit disappointing I didn’t get to a final, or even a semi-final, with England.”

After he left Chelsea, he played for Italian side, AS Roma, LA Galaxy in the Major League Soccer in the United States, before ending his career at Derby County under current Blues boss, Frank Lampard.