Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole (born December 20, 1980 in Stepney, London) is an association football player. He is a defender, who nearly always plays at left-back. He currently plays for Arsenal and the English national team.

Club career

Cole has been at Arsenal since he was a teenager, and signed as a professional on February 25, 2000. He made his debut for the first team on November 30, 1999 against Middlesbrough at the age of 18, although this was his only appearance of that season. Before fully breaking into the Arsenal side, he spent three months on loan at Crystal Palace in 2000. After an injury to Silvinho, Arsenal's established Brazilian left-back, in autumn 2000, Cole came in as his replacement, and remained first-choice even after Silvinho's recovery.

Related Topics:
February 25 - 2000 - November 30 - 1999 - Middlesbrough - Crystal Palace - Silvinho

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With Arsenal, he has won the Premiership twice (in 2002 and 2004), and the FA Cup three times (in 2002, 2003 and 2005).

Related Topics:
Premiership - 2002 - 2004 - FA Cup - 2003 - 2005

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Despite publicly stating his desire to leave Arsenal and play elsewhere, Cole signed a one year extension to his contract on 18th July 2005. His current salary is thought to be £70,000 per week, although it is rumoured that the contract includes a get-out clause, which will allow him to leave after the 2005/06 season.

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