England Centurion Calls Time On Career

Last updated : 18 August 2019 By Three Lions

Ashley Cole has officially announced his retirement from playing after making a surprise return to English football last season for a spell at Derby County.

Rams boss Frank Lampard persuaded his former Chelsea team-mate to come back from the USA and Cole will now look to follow his fellow England cap centurion into coaching and then management.

Cole played 107 times for his country between 2001 and 2014, making his debut against Albania in a World Cup 2002 qualifier at the age of 20.

He didn't manage to score an England goal but was given the honour of the captain's armband, for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland in 2013, to mark reaching a century of caps.

Cole was part of the 2002. 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads before just missing out in 2014 when Roy Hodgson opted for the promise of Luke Shaw over the more experienced man.