Joe Cole Calls It Quits

By Max Wise

Former Chelsea midfielder, Joe Cole, has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37.

Cole’s career spanned two decades, and represented clubs like Liverpool, Lille, Aston Villa, Coventry and most recently Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United States.

Cole started his career at West Ham at the tender age of 17 and became club captain four years later before being snapped by Chelsea in 2003 for £6.6m.

He spent seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, making 182 Premier League appearances and scoring 28 goals. 

Cole won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and finished on the losing side as Manchester United beat Chelsea to lift the UEFA Champions League in 2008.

He represented England 56 times and played at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.

"It has been a dream come true. All of it," said Cole. "I hope the next two decades are as special as my last 20 years as a professional have been."

"Winning trophies at Chelsea was particularly special for me. Those memories will live with me forever."

One of Cole's memorable moments came in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Manchester United when the Blues pipped the Red Devils to win the 2005-06 Premier League title.

Cole collected the ball with his back to goal, from 25 yards out, to beat three defenders before shooting past Edwin Van Der Saar.