Veteran England star heads to Serie A.
Former England international Ashley Cole has joined Italian side Roma on a Bosman free transfer and has penned a two-year deal with the club, Sky Sports reports.
The 33-year-old was released by the west London outfit at the end of last season after eight successful years at the club, and he has now sought out a new challenge by heading to mainland Europe.
Cole tweeted: “Will never forget my time in England was a pleasure, but now onto a new challenge.”
Cole travelled to Italy on Monday after his representative travelled to the Italian capital for talks with the Serie A giants, has now signed on for two-years with the option of a third.
The full-back announced his international retirement before the World Cup after being overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson in favour of a more youthful approach, and then both he and Frank Lampard were released from their contracts at Chelsea.
The former Arsenal star’s agent had revealed that he had been in talks with a number of foreign clubs recently, with many believing he would be on his way to the United States with an MLS outfit, but he has surprised everyone by making the switch over to Serie A.
Cole had enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge after joining from Arsenal for just £5m in the summer of 2006, and went on to make over 300 appearances for the club, lifting every domestic title there is to win as well as the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League a year later.
However, he was deemed surplus to requirements last season and played a bit-part role under Jose Mourinho.
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