Ashley Cole was born 20th December 1980, in Whitechapel, London. He signed as a professional for Arsenal in February 2000 and spent part of the 1999–2000 season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he played 14 league matches and scored one goal. After an injury to Silvinho, Arsenal's established Brazilian left back, in autumn 2000, Cole came on as his replacement, and remained first choice even after his colleague's reco
Ashley Cole was born 20th December 1980, in Whitechapel, London. He signed as a professional for Arsenal in February 2000 and spent part of the 1999–2000 season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he played 14 league matches and scored one goal. After an injury to Silvinho, Arsenal's established Brazilian left back, in autumn 2000, Cole came on as his replacement, and remained first choice even after his colleague's recovery.
Blessed with blistering pace, Ashley has the ability to make forceful overlapping runs supporting forward players and providing telling crosses. With Arsenal, he won the Premier League twice (in 2002 and 2004), and the FA Cup three times (in 2002, 2003 and 2005). Although injured for much of the 2005-06 season, he recovered in time to play in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona at the end of the season.
In total he made 228 first team appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals. On 1 September 2006, Chelsea snapped him up in exchange for £5m. For England, Ashley's ability to get forward has helped England cope with their lack of a left winger. Ashley made his full debut in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania in March 2001 and played for England at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004. Ashley Cole was named as one of four England players in the all-star squad for the latter tournament. Cole was also an ever-present for England in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
(c) Givemefootball official Ashley Cole profile
