Joseph John “Joe” Cole (born 8 November 1981) is an English footballer who joined Liverpool, subject to medical examination, in July 2010. He played for West Ham United from 1998 to 2003 before joining Chelsea. He is also a member of the England national team. He started his career with West Ham United where he played more than 100 games during five years, until he left for Chelsea in 2003. He won a number of trophies with Chelsea, including three Premier League titles and two FA Cups before leaving on a free transfer in Summer 2010.
- Joe Cole
Full name: Joseph John Cole
Date of birth: 08 November 1981
Place of birth: London, England
Height: 1.76 m
Playing position: Winger / Attacking Midfielder
Club career: West Ham United / Chelsea / Liverpool
National team: England – 56 / (10) ”First 2001”
Joe Cole Video
OFFICIAL: Liverpool Sign England International Joe Cole (2010)
Premier League giants Liverpool have confirmed the capture of England international Joe Cole on a free transfer. The attacking midfielder was available on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.
The Reds have announced on their official website that they’ve agreed personal terms with Cole and that the gifted midfielder will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours. The highly rated winger will sign a four-year deal with his new club upon completion of the medical.
Cole is Liverpool’s second signing of the summer transfer window. The Reds previously secured the services of Serbian international Milan Jovanovic from Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a free transfer.
The 28-year-old Cole is a product of the West Ham youth system, but left the Hammers for a spell at Chelsea in the summer of 2003. He won three league titles and two FA Cups during a seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge. Additionally, he has represented his country 56 times, scoring 10 goals in the process.
The England international initially appeared to be on his way to Arsenal, while Tottenham Hotspur and Milan were also believed to be interested in signing Joe Cole. The versatile midfielder will ply his trade at Anfield Road instead though in the 2010 – 2011 campaign.
Cole will be wearing the number 7 jersey at Liverpool, a number previously worn by Robbie Keane, who left the club for Tottenham Hotspur in January 2009.
International career: Cole made his international debut against Mexico in May 2001.He was a member of England’s 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, made one substitute appearance off the bench. Cole was also a squad member at Euro 2004, but did not play.
His displays in England’s friendlies leading up to the 2006 World Cup enhanced his reputation ahead of the summer’s finals in Germany. In May 2006 he was confirmed in the England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, ahead of Chelsea teammate Shaun Wright-Phillips. He played on the left side of midfield in England’s opening game against Paraguay on June 10, 2006.
On June 20, 2006, England drew with Sweden, in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with a final score of 2–2. Cole scored a volley in the 34th minute of the match and got an assist in the 85th when he sent in a ball to Steven Gerrard. At the end of the match, Budweiser announced that Cole received the Man of the match. The Swedish football fans congratulated England for having such a valuable player in the tournament. Cole lined up for the England squad for the first time since the 2006 FIFA World Cup in the 1–1 friendly draw against the Netherlands, providing an assist for Wayne Rooney from a cross. After another injury, he returned to start the friendly against Brazil at Wembley Stadium on 1 June.
Cole scored his seventh goal for England in June 2007, in their European Championship qualifier, away to Estonia.
On February 7, 2008, Cole was one of the 23-man squad selected for the friendly against Switzerland which they won 2–1, courtesy of Jermaine Jenas and Shaun Wright-Phillips goals. For Jenas’ goal, Cole received the ball on the left wing, and with a quick bit of trickery, he lured his defender into an early tackle and skipped past. He then passed a smart ball through the box to Jenas who did not have to raise a leg. Cole received Man of the match for his performance.
In August 2008, Cole scored a late equalising goal in a 2–2 draw at Wembley against the Czech Republic after coming on as a substitute. He then scored England’s two goals in the next fixture after coming on as a second half substitute in the 2–0 defeat of Andorra in the opening match for the 2010 World Cup Qualifers. In England’s next world cup qualifier against Croatia he suffered a head injury in a clash with Croatian defender Robert Kovač which resulted in the Croatian’s sending off. After initially getting up he then collapsed and had to be substituted. However he was able to come back and watch the remainder of the match.
Cole was named in the final 23 man selection for England’s 2010 World Cup squad. He played in, and scored, in a 3-0 victory against the Platinum Stars, of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, in an unofficial warm-up game.However he was limited to just two substitute appearances in the tournament itself as England lost to Germany in the second round.