ASHLEY COLE has been named as the latest player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The legendary left-back won three Premier League titles during a 15-season career at Arsenal and Chelsea. Renowned for his tireless running, Cole combined attacking prowess with formidable defensive qualities and is regarded as one of the League’s greatest-ever full-backs.

The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates individuals who have an exceptional record of success and have made a significant contribution to the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honour awarded by the League.

Cole broke through at his boyhood club Arsenal under the tutorship of Arsène Wenger and his first Premier League title came in the Double-winning 2001/02 season. 

He was a crucial member of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side that went unbeaten on the way to claiming the 2003/04 title.

More success followed at Chelsea, with Cole part of Carlo Ancelotti’s free-flowing, attacking side which scored a then-record 103 goals as they won the 2009/10 Premier League,  securing a second Double for Cole.

Cole made 385 Premier League appearances and won two-thirds (62 per cent) of the matches he played in. He contributed to 147 clean sheets, scored 15 goals and made 31 assists, underlining his ability at both ends of the pitch.

Cole becomes the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame, joining Invincibles team-mates Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and manager Arsène Wenger. Former Chelsea team-mates Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are also Hall of Fame members.

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

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters

Cole said:  “I’m honoured to join the Premier League Hall of Fame. 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.”

A shortlist of 15 former players eligible to join the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2024 was announced on 25 March. Fans will be invited to help select two further inductees who will join the Hall of Fame.

Voting will take place at www.premierleague.com/halloffame and on the official Premier League app, closing on 8 April. The two inductees will be announced on Monday 22 April and this year’s inductees will be formally honoured at a Premier League Hall of Fame event in April. All inductees receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, along with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice.

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 Premier League has released a video to celebrate the career of Cole and mark his induction into the Hall of Fame. The video features archive footage and interviews with former team-mates and managers.

This is available to watch as part of the dedicated Hall of Fame archive at www.premierleague.com/halloffame.

For more information, follow @premierleague and search for #PLHallOfFame on social media.