49 Facts About Joe Cole

Joseph John Cole was born on 8 November 1981 and is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or winger in the Premier League, Ligue 1, League One and United Soccer League.

Joe Cole is regarded as one of the most talented English players of his generation and one of the most technically gifted English players of all time.

Joe Cole started his career with West Ham United, where, after breaking into the first team in January 1999, he played more than 120 Premier League games over five seasons.

Joe Cole was one of a number of players who left West Ham in the summer of 2003, after the club had been relegated to the Football League First Division, with Cole signing for Chelsea.

Joe Cole spent seven seasons at Chelsea, playing over 280 games in all competitions and winning seven trophies, including three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup.

Joe Cole left Chelsea on a free transfer in July 2010 to join Liverpool, who a year later loaned him to Lille.

Joe Cole signed for Aston Villa in June 2014, then joined Coventry City on loan in October 2015, joining on a permanent deal in January 2016.

Joe Cole was selected for the England squad at the 2002,2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2004.

Joe Cole was born Joseph Rooks in Paddington, London, and lived there until he moved to Somers Town at the age of six.

Joe Cole was raised by his mother, Susan, and adoptive father, George Cole, and grew up with brother Nicky and sister Charly.

Joe Cole is a product of the West Ham United youth system.

Joe Cole was the sixth player signed after the club's takeover by billionaire Roman Abramovich, amongst those was his former West Ham teammate Glen Johnson.

Joe Cole extended his contract with Chelsea for another four seasons.

In January 2007, Joe Cole underwent surgery for a stress fracture on his foot he suffered in late 2006.

Joe Cole started for Chelsea in their victory over Manchester United in the 2007 FA Cup Final, and went on to be substituted at half-time.

Joe Cole scored another goal in the League Cup semi-finals against Everton which sent Chelsea to another final.

Joe Cole played in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final, which Chelsea lost on penalties to Manchester United; he was substituted in extra time for Nicolas Anelka, who missed Chelsea's crucial penalty.

Joe Cole continued his excellent performances racking up a rate of ten goals and eight assists in all competitions, due to his performance he won the Chelsea Player of the Year 2008.

Joe Cole made a return to the starting line-up in Chelsea's League Cup match against Queens Park Rangers on 23 September 2009 in which he was handed the captain's armband.

Joe Cole came on as a substitute as Chelsea won the 2010 FA Cup Final, his second appearance in an FA Cup Final for Chelsea.

Joe Cole ended his career at Chelsea having won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup.

Joe Cole joined Liverpool on a free transfer after signing a four-year deal in July 2010.

Joe Cole was manager Roy Hodgson's first signing at the club and was given the number 10 shirt.

Club captain Steven Gerrard even claimed Joe Cole was as technically good as Lionel Messi.

Joe Cole played in Jamie Carragher's testimonial match, where he scored his first goal for the club.

Joe Cole then scored his first competitive goal for the club against Steaua Bucuresti in a Europa League group stage match at Anfield on 16 September 2010, converting just 27 seconds into the game.

On 31 August 2011, Joe Cole signed for French champions Lille on a season-long loan.

Joe Cole played three pre-season matches, against Toronto FC, Roma, and Tottenham Hotspur.

On 2 August 2012, Joe Cole started his first Liverpool game for over a year, playing in the Europa League first leg qualifier victory over FC Gomel.

Joe Cole was substituted after just 23 minutes being replaced by Raheem Sterling after tweaking his hamstrings.

Joe Cole was ruled out of action for six weeks with a hamstring injury in September 2013.

In June 2014, Joe Cole signed a two-year contract with Aston Villa on a free transfer after he was released by West Ham.

On 7 January 2016, Joe Cole signed on a free transfer on a deal lasting until the end of the season.

On 4 May 2016, Joe Cole signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League, signing a contract through the end of the 2017 NASL season, with a club option for 2018.

In June 2018, Joe Cole was promoted to assistant coach with the Rowdies, while still acting as a player as well.

Joe Cole has since taken up a coaching role at Chelsea.

Joe Cole made his senior international debut against Mexico in May 2001.

Joe Cole was a member of England's 2002 World Cup squad, making one substitute appearance in the tournament.

Joe Cole was a squad member at UEFA Euro 2004, but did not play.

Joe Cole played on the left side of midfield in England's opening game against Paraguay on 10 June 2006.

Joe 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, with this contribution earning him the Man of the match award.

Joe Cole scored his seventh goal for England in June 2007, in Euro 2008 qualifying, away to Estonia.

For Jenas' goal, Joe Cole skipped down the left and crossed to Jenas.

Joe Cole was named Man of the match for his performance.

Joe Cole was named in the final 23-man selection for England's 2010 World Cup squad.

Joe Cole's dribbling and overall flair was praised by Pele, who stated that, "He has the skills of a Brazilian," during Cole's spell at Chelsea.

Joe Cole had been dating Zucker since 2002 and proposed to her in 2007.

The couple have a daughter, Ruby Tatiana Joe Cole, born in March 2010, and a son, Harrison "Harry" Joe Cole, born in October 2012.

Joe Cole has worn them since his early days at Chelsea.