Ashley Cole: Derby County sign veteran ex-England defender

Last updated on 21 January 2019.From the section Derby106

Derby County have signed former England left-back Ashley Cole on a deal until the end of the season.

The 38-year-old, who won 107 caps for his country, is reunited with former Chelsea and international team-mate Frank Lampard, now Derby manager.

Cole featured in 32 games for US Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy last season before leaving in October.

He made 384 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and Chelsea, and also played for Roma in Serie A.

London-born Cole was described by Lampard as the "best English left-back of the recent generation", and has enjoyed a career laden with trophies.

He won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea, and also lifted three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and a League Cup.

Even at the age of 38, which would make him the oldest player to feature in the Championship this season, Lampard is satisfied Cole can be an effective signing.

"He's a fantastic player, a quality left-back, and he also brings great experience to the dressing room," Lampard told the club website.

"I know him very well from our time together at Chelsea, and with England, and I also know what he can bring to the group and the influence he will have.

"Ashley is in good shape, which doesn't surprise me because he's an excellent professional, and he will compete for a place in the side like every other player here.

"I've made my feelings known over the last couple of days just how highly I think of Ashley and I have no doubt whatsoever he will be a positive addition to our squad."

Cole joins a Derby side pushing for promotion to the Premier League, with the Rams sixth in the table after Saturday's win against Reading.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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106 comments

Comment posted by User0282682890, at 23:15 21 Jan 2019
Should have signed Cheryl.
Comment posted by Quinnyy, at 23:36 21 Jan 2019
From London, to Rome, to L.A....... to Derby
Comment posted by Conroy from the halfway, at 05:57 22 Jan 2019
These message threads are just pathetic. BBC you need a complete overhaul or you need to get rid of the function. Every one is a sesspit of negativity posted by trolls and keyboard warriors who have nothing better to do than go out of their way to wind up strangers for some weird self gratification.

Good signing for and already strong squad, what he can bring to the dressing room is priceless.
Comment posted by mdc, at 23:23 21 Jan 2019
Will do a job for Lampard, I suspect mainly as cover, and join the coaching staff for next year.
Comment posted by Digger, at 00:27 22 Jan 2019
Why?? Is it purely a publicity stunt cos he's a big name, can't be for his footballing ability surely cos he was finished 3/4 years ago. Last time I saw him play he looked worse than the plump ex-pros on Soccer aid, he was getting skinned all game long by mediocre American players that wouldn't get in a League 2 squad. The Championship is brutal, he'll get embarrassed regularly. It's a weird move.
Comment posted by fatkams, at 23:34 21 Jan 2019
All Lampard needs to do is recruit John Terry and Joe Cole and he has got it crew back together!
Comment posted by Pabs, at 23:35 21 Jan 2019
A wealth of footballing experience that Derby's squad will surely benefit from.
Comment posted by Finchy, at 05:47 22 Jan 2019
Had to laugh at the football page this morning ............ man utd didnt play last night, so instead there's a story about pogba on a train !!!
Outstanding sports journalism !!!
Comment posted by Carlos, at 10:11 22 Jan 2019
Stop this age thing and think back what the likes of Teddy Sherringham did at over 40yrs old! I don't like Man Utd but he made the difference in winning games and trophies! Cole will help Derby!
Comment posted by Bezz, at 07:42 22 Jan 2019
Dave Mckay was past it when Clough signed him that turned out badly didn't it.
Comment posted by Bianca Jackson 7, at 23:19 21 Jan 2019
Hardly desperate. Just raising the clubs profile is all .
Comment posted by User0707190502, at 23:18 21 Jan 2019
I honestly thought I’d seen the last of this petulant, greedy, classless individual who is well past his sell by date.

Very frustrating news.

At this rate Anelka and Diouf will make a comeback soon.
Comment posted by footie fan, at 05:22 22 Jan 2019
Cashley Cole- a man who took an air rifle to training to take pot shots at his own team mates- what an outstanding human being.
Comment posted by Deano, at 09:05 22 Jan 2019
Don’t get me wrong I don’t particularly like AC being an arsenal fan but surely this is a good signing. Even if he fills in as and when needed the experience and the fact he has won just about every English trophy surely counts for something. A shaky defence and youngers coming through and frank knows him well can only be a good thing for a team chasing promotion
Comment posted by Super Ram, at 08:02 22 Jan 2019
As a Derby fan I've got to trust Lampard's plans for AC. So far he's got it right with young loanees that he knew from Chelsea so why not someone that he actually played with. It's only until the end of the season after all. If he can persuade Cahill as well then that would be handy!
Comment posted by D1710915091323, at 10:37 22 Jan 2019
He will play for 30/45 mins and play flat out whilst teaching younger players how its done. Good luck to him and Derby.
Comment posted by Tommy81, at 15:32 22 Jan 2019
Love all these moral high ground posts about Cole being this and that.

Everyone here is perfect hey and never made mistakes. And all this 'Cashley' nonsense.

What is he going to do? l Say no?!

His experience alone will be massive for Derby. Hope he proves a few people wrong. At least he's challenging himself and still wants to play.
Comment posted by who_dat, at 09:32 22 Jan 2019
64. Harold

Football is a business these days so I can't imagine Derby allowing Lampard to take on Cole, pay his not insignificant wages, just because he's "one of the boys".
It's a short term deal and Derby would expect a return for their money.
Comment posted by Yorkshirethai, at 06:26 22 Jan 2019
Did I miss the news about Derby County being renamed Lampard's Derby as this is now they preferred to in just about every BBC article concerning the team
Comment posted by MrGoGreen, at 07:32 22 Jan 2019
Mr Lampard is a football man, one who will succeed or fail in equal measure. If he says a player is good enough for his team why are there so many hysterical rants about Mr Cole. Note! He is not just a player but someone who brings a lot of experience so whether he plays or not the squad benefits - at least those who listen!