Former Chelsea and Arsenal left back Ashley Cole has become the latest player inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The 43-year-old won the Premier League title three times – twice with Arsenal and once with Chelsea. He was part of the 2003-04 Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ team, and made 385 Premier League appearances in total.
He scored 15 goals and provided 31 assists in the Premier League, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions.
“It’s humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career,” Cole said.
Cole becomes the 22nd Premier League Hall of Fame inductee.
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.
The Hall of Fame launched in 2021, with inaugural inductees David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer.
In 2022, Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were inducted.
Last year, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were named as the first managerial inductees, with Tony Adams, Petr Cech and Rio Ferdinand also voted in.
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.
To be eligible for this season’s Premier League Hall of Fame, individuals must have been retired as of 1 January 2024, and only an individual’s career achievements in the Premier League are considered in their candidacy.
