Ashley Cole is an English professional footballer who currently plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer. He is a former member of the England national team, and also played for Arsenal, Chelsea, and AS Roma.
Ashley Cole was born in Stepney, London on December 20, 1980. He was raised by his mother Sue, and his stepfather. He attended Ashmole School in London and began playing football at a young age. He joined Arsenal's youth academy in 1997 and made his debut with the club in 1999.
Cole quickly established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. He was a key member of Arsenal's "Invincibles" team in 2003-04, which won the league title without losing a single game. In 2006, Cole left Arsenal for rivals Chelsea in a controversial move. Despite his switch to Chelsea, he remained a popular figure with Arsenal fans.
At Chelsea, Cole won the Premier League title three times, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions.
Cole left Chelsea in 2014 and joined Italian side AS Roma. He spent two seasons in Serie A before moving to the United States and signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Cole is now in his fourth season with the Galaxy and is the team's longest-serving player.
Off the pitch, Cole is an ambassador for the charity Right To Play. He is also active in other charitable causes, particularly those related to children and young people.
Ashley Cole is one of the greatest defenders of his generation. His success at Arsenal and Chelsea made him one of the most decorated players in English football history. He is now in the twilight of his career, but his legacy lives on.
