Biography of Ashley Cole: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Ashley Cole was born on December 20, 1980 in Stepney, London to parents Ron and Sue Cole. His father is from Barbados and worked as a plasterer while his mother is English.
Cole grew up in the tough East End area of London and initially showed little interest in school. However, he excelled at football from a young age.
Cole attended St Mary’s Youth Club in East London where he played alongside future Premier League stars like Ledley King, John Terry, Bobby Zamora and Jlloyd Samuel. At age 14, Cole joined the Arsenal Youth Academy.
Club Career
Cole made his first team debut for Arsenal in a League Cup match against Middlesbrough in November 1999 at age 18. The next year, he helped Arsenal win the 2000-01 Premier League title and the 2001-02 FA Cup. Cole established himself as Arsenal’s first choice left back during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.
In 2006, Cole moved to rival club Chelsea amid controversy regarding tapped phone calls and contract discussions. His transfer to Chelsea was completed for £5 million.
Chelsea
Cole won the Premier League title in his first season at Chelsea under manager Jose Mourinho. In 2009-10, he achieved a domestic double by winning the Premier League and FA Cup.
Cole added another Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League title over the next few years at Stamford Bridge. He also helped Chelsea win the 2011-12 Champions League title, assisting on Didier Drogba’s equalizing goal in the final against Bayern Munich.
In 2014, Cole signed a two-year deal with AS Roma in Italy at age 33 after his Chelsea contract expired. However, he made only 16 appearances over two seasons hindered by injuries and loss of form. Cole announced his retirement from football in August 2019.
International Career
Cole earned his first England cap in March 2001 against Albania. He went on to make over 100 appearances for the Three Lions, appearing in three World Cup campaigns in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Cole was England’s first choice left back during the so-called “Golden Generation,” playing alongside stars like David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.
He is widely regarded among the best left backs of his generation, earning 107 caps in total for England before his international retirement in 2014.
Unfortunately, Cole was often on the receiving end of severe criticism from fans and pundits for controversies off the pitch. His most infamous moment came when he accidentally shot a Chelsea intern with an air rifle at the training ground in 2011.
Net Worth and Endorsements
According to Wealthy Gorilla, Ashley Cole has an estimated net worth of $60 million as of 2023. During his playing career, he earned lucrative contracts at Arsenal, Chelsea and Roma. His weekly wages peaked at $230,000 during his time at Chelsea from 2006 to 2014.
Cole also had endorsement deals with companies like Nike, Samsung, Vodafone and FIFA video games over the years.
Between 2009 and 2010, he earned an additional $5.3 million from endorsements alone according to Forbes. After retiring from playing, Cole moved into coaching and media roles along with entrepreneurial investments which continue to drive his multimillionaire status.
Relationship and Personal Life
Cole began dating Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy in 2004, when she was at the height of her popularity. They got married in July 2006 near London in a lavish ceremony amid a media circus.
In early 2010 though, the couple separated after news broke of Cole’s infidelities. He had cheated on Cheryl during their marriage. They officially divorced later that year.
In 2016, Cole started dating Italian model Sharon Canu and they had a son named Jaxon together in 2017.
Cole and Canu eventually separated in 2020. Most recently, Cole has been linked romantically to a British PR director named Sophia Ojie. They reportedly began dating sometime after his second split and have kept details of their budding relationship private from the public spotlight.
Now in his early 40s, Cole has mostly stayed out of the news in recent years and focused his time on raising son Jaxon and his coaching career.
Career Records and Achievements
- 3 Premier League titles (2002, 2005, 2010)
- 7 FA Cup winner’s medals (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012) – record for most FA Cup wins for a player
- 1 Champions League (2012)
- 1 Europa League (2013)
- 1 League Cup (2007)
Individual and National Team Honors
- UEFA Team of the Year (2004, 2010)
- FIFA FIFPro World11 nominee (2010)
- England Player of the Year (2010)
- 100+ caps for England national team
Cole won every major club and national team honor during his illustrious career at Arsenal, Chelsea and with the England national team. His trophy haul includes a record seven FA Cup titles. Cole is considered one of the most decorated left backs of the modern era.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ashley Cole enjoyed a remarkably successful club and international career over 20 years. He became the gold standard for left backs of his generation – winning over 100 caps for England and achieving historic honors like a record seven FA Cup triumphs.
While controversy rarely eluded him away from the pitch, Cole’s longevity and sustained excellence at the highest levels of football ensure his legacy as one of the greatest players of his generation. His place in Premier League history is assured from his iconic battles against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and other legends over the decades.
Even in retirement now, Cole’s net worth sits at a staggering $60 million – thanks mostly to lucrative contracts, endorsements and investments made during his illustrious playing days. The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Roma star overcame tough beginnings to become both a domestic and European champion across multiple eras of football.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position did Ashley Cole play?
Cole was a left back during his club and international career spanning almost 20 years from 1999 to 2019.
How many trophies did Cole win?
Cole won a total of 15 major trophies during his club career with Arsenal and Chelsea. This includes 3 Premier League titles, 7 FA Cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Europa League and 1 League Cup.
Why did Cole leave Arsenal for Chelsea?
In 2006, Cole became embroiled in a tapping-up scandal with Chelsea while still under contract at Arsenal. This soured his relationship with Arsenal management and fans. He eventually left the Gunners that summer for a £5 million transfer fee to join rival Chelsea where he signed a lucrative £90,000 a week contract.
What was Cole’s most controversial moment?
In 2011, Cole accidentally shot a Chelsea intern with an air rifle at the club’s training ground. The intern only sustained minor injuries but the incident further damaged Cole’s reputation off the pitch.
What number did Cole wear for England?
Cole wore the number 3 shirt for the England national team during his international career from 2001 to 2014.