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Ashley Cole is congratulated by his new wife after being inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, as he becomes just the FOURTH defender on the honours list

  • Ashley Cole won three Premier League titles in his glittering 15-season career
  • Ex-defender was part of the historic Gunners team that went a season unbeaten 
  • England’s Euro 2004 team was incredible on paper but they didn’t win. Can this crop do it this summer? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in recognition of his glittering career in the English top-flight. 

The left back won three league titles during 15 seasons and is widely considered to be the best player to play the position in Premier League history. 

Cole was part of the historic Gunners team that went the entirety of the 2003-04 campaign unbeaten, his second league crown, before winning a further title in west London with the Blues in 2009-10.

He joins fellow Arsenal Invincibles Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry in the Hall of Fame, as well as ex-Chelsea stars Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

‘I’m honoured to join the Premier League Hall of Fame.’ Cole said. ‘It’s humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career.

Legendary full-back Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame

Legendary full-back Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame

Ashley Cole's wife Sharon Canu led the tributes to her husband following the announcement

Ashley Cole’s wife Sharon Canu led the tributes to her husband following the announcement

She posted a touching congratulatory message to her husband after he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame

She posted a touching congratulatory message to her husband after he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame

‘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.

PREMIER LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

2021

Steven Gerrard 

Frank Lampard

Dennis Bergkamp

David Beckham

Roy Keane 

Eric Cantona 

Thierry Henry

Alan Shearer 

2022

Sergio Aguero 

Vincent Kompany

Didier Drogba

Paul Scholes

Peter Schmeichel

Ian Wright

Wayne Rooney

Patrick Vieira

2023

Tony Adams

Petr Cech

Rio Ferdinand

Arsene Wenger

Sir Alex Ferguson

2024

Ashley Cole 

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‘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.’

Cole’s wife Sharon Canu led the tributes following the announcement by sharing the league’s post with the accompanying message: ‘Ladies and gentlemen…my husband.’

The pair tied the knot in a lavish Italian ceremony last July that was attended by the likes of Frank and Christine Lampard, John Terry and Sam Faiers and her partner Paul Knightley.

The nuptials come nine years after they first met and 12 years following the end of Cole’s four-year marriage to pop star Cheryl, 40. Sharon and Ashley share son Jaxon, six, and four-year-old daughter Grace.

Cole is the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame and the first of 2024. The award is the highest individual honour given by the league, recognising individuals who have an exceptional record of success and who have made a significant contribution in the competition.

Alongside his hat-trick of Premier League crowns, he made 385 appearances and won 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.

The 43-year-old broke through at his boyhood club Arsenal under the tutorship of Arsene Wenger and his first Premier League title came in the Double-winning 2001-02 season. 

He repeated the feat eight years later in Carlo Ancelotti’s free-scoring Chelsea side. 

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters lauded Cole’s accomplishments and credited the defender with redefining the position. 

Cole married Sharon Canu in a lavish Italian ceremony among family and friends last July

Cole married Sharon Canu in a lavish Italian ceremony among family and friends last July 

Cole (third from left) was an integral part of the Arsenal team that went the duration of the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten

Cole (third from left) was an integral part of the Arsenal team that went the duration of the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten

He lifted the third of three Premier League crowns with Chelsea in 2009-10 under Carlo Ancelotti

He lifted the third of three Premier League crowns with Chelsea in 2009-10 under Carlo Ancelotti

Cole has become the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame and joins a host of his former team-mates

Cole has become the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame and joins a host of his former team-mates

‘If you ask people for the best full-back in Premier League history, many of them would name Ashley Cole.’ Masters said. 

‘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.’


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