Swapping the sunny skies of Los Angeles for the banks of the River Derwent may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly seems to have suited 38-year-old left-back Ashley Cole, who has now joined up with former teammate Frank Lampard at Derby County.
Rams’ manager Lampard has plucked his old mucker Cole to join him at Pride Park Stadium; the two of them spent eight years together at Chelsea, winning almost everything there was to win at club level, including the coveted Champions League in 2012. He made 338 appearances for Chelsea, and 227 for Arsenal, where he was a precious member of the 2004 Invincibles side.
Cole has won three Premier League titles (two with Arsenal, one with the Blues)
He left Stamford Bridge in 2014 to move to Roma before flying over to West California to play for David Beckham’s old club LA Galaxy where he remained for two seasons before being released at the conclusion of the last Major League Soccer season.
He is a four-time recipient of inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year, and was also included in the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in 2004.
He is expected to earn around £10,000 a week at Championship side Derby.
"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."
The Rams are gunning for promotion this year, currently nestled in the last play-off spot, two points clear of Bristol City in seventh.
Their next fixture is away at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.
