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
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 over 15 seasons and is widely regarded as the best player in the position in Premier League history.
Cole was part of the historic Gunners team that went unbeaten throughout the 2004–05 season, his second league title, before winning another 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 am honored to become a member of the Premier League Hall of Fame.” Cole said. “It’s humbling and satisfying to be rewarded at the end of your career.
Legendary full-back Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame
Ashley Cole’s wife Sharon Canu led the tribute to her husband after the announcement
She posted a touching congratulatory message to her husband after he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame
‘My whole career I’ve just tried to do my best and be good enough. You take it day by day and from match to match. As a young child you never dream of this and you just do it out of love for football.
‘I’ve played for some fantastic clubs with great fans. Winning trophies with my boyhood club Arsenal and with Chelsea are great memories that will always stay with me.
‘It’s emotional to think about it, because a lot of hard work has gone into it. To be part of the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, I am privileged to be in their company.”
Cole’s wife Sharon Canu led the tributes after the announcement by sharing the league’s message with the accompanying message: “Ladies and gentlemen…my man.”
The couple married last July in a lavish Italian ceremony attended by the likes of Frank and Christine Lampard, John Terry and Sam Faiers and her partner Paul Knightley.
The wedding takes place nine years after they first met and 12 years after Cole’s four-year marriage to pop star Cheryl, 40, ended. 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 honor presented by the league and recognizes individuals with an exceptional record of service and who have made significant contributions to the league.
Cole married Sharon Canu last July in a lavish Italian ceremony among family and friends
Cole (third from left) was an integral part of the Arsenal team that went unbeaten throughout the 2003–04 Premier League season
He won the third of three Premier League crowns with Chelsea in 2009–10 under Carlo Ancelotti
In addition to his hat-trick of Premier League crowns, he made 385 appearances and won 62 percent of the games he played in. He contributed to 147 clean sheets, scored 15 goals and provided 31 assists, highlighting his skill at both ends of the pitch. .
The 43-year-old broke through at his boyhood club Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and won his first Premier League title 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 praised Cole’s performance and credited the defender with redefining the position.
‘If you ask people about the best full-back in the history of the Premier League, many of them would name Ashley Cole.’ Masters said. ‘He excelled for the title-winning sides of Arsenal and Chelsea and helped redefine the position thanks to his defensive and attacking qualities.
Cole has become the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame, joining a host of former teammates
‘After breaking through at Arsenal as a youngster, he will always be remembered as part of the iconic ‘Invincibles’ team, whose achievements remain unparalleled to this day.
“He continued his winning ways at Chelsea and was a key part of one of the best-scoring sides we have ever seen, and we are delighted to welcome him as the latest inductee into the Premier League Hall of Fame.”