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Legendary left-back Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Cole won three Premier League titles during a 15-season career at Arsenal and Chelsea, combining attacking prowess with formidable defensive qualities to become one of the greatest defenders the competition has ever seen.
Part of the record-breaking “Invincibles” Arsenal team who went unbeaten through the 2003/04 season, Cole made 385 Premier League appearances in total, contributed to 147 clean sheets, scored 15 goals and made 31 assists.
“I’m honoured to join the Premier League Hall of Fame,” said Cole. “It’s humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career.
“I went through my career just trying to give my best and be good enough. You take it day by day and game by game. As a young kid, you never dream of any of this and you just do it for the love of the game of football.
“I played for some fantastic clubs with incredible fans. Winning trophies with my boyhood club Arsenal and with Chelsea are amazing memories that will always be with me.
“It’s emotional to reflect because a lot of hard work has been put in. To join the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, I’m privileged to be in their company.”
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “If you ask people for the best full-back in Premier League history, many of them would name Ashley Cole. He excelled for title-winning Arsenal and Chelsea sides and helped to redefine the position thanks to his defensive and attacking qualities.
“After breaking through as a youngster at Arsenal, he will always be remembered as part of the iconic ‘Invincibles’ team, whose achievements remain unprecedented to this day.
“He continued his winning ways at Chelsea, forming a key part of one of the highest-scoring sides we have ever seen, and we are delighted to welcome him as the latest inductee into the Premier League Hall of Fame.”
The moment Ashley Cole received his #PLHallOfFame medallion 🏅
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 25, 2024
