Liverpool have signed former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a four-year deal today with the news announced on the club’s official website. The player finally decided to join the Anfield Reds after having earlier had discussions with Roy Hodgson last week and will undergo a medical within the next two days before putting pen to paper.
A statement on Liverpool official site read: “Liverpool FC are delighted to confirm the signing of Joe Cole on a four-year deal. The England midfielder has agreed personal terms with the Reds and will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours.”
The signing may be the biggest transfer coup to be pulled off by the new Liverpool boss this summer after some pessimism over Hodgson’s appointment earlier this summer. With the arrival of Cole, it may also be the signing that could finally convince club captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres to stay at Anfield after having been linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer due to the upheaval in the last two months, and with the club finishing only in seventh in the Premier League last season.
Cole was released at the end of the season by Chelsea after the club raised doubts over the midfielder’s injury problems as well as apparent high wage demands. The player accused the Blues of letting him go over “political” reasons and said that he would only join a club with a manager who would have faith in his abilities and offer him first team football.
It was revealed on Sunday that Liverpool had put together a package with a staggering weekly salary of £90,000 for the player’s consideration but it is not known if these figures apply to this confirmed deal. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti raised his suspicions over the intention of Cole deciding to leave Stamford Bridge when he questioned if the England international was more interested in money than achieving success in his career. With Cole now deciding to join Liverpool on the back of earlier salary rumours, and with previous suitors Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both offering Champions League football compared to the Reds, there may be some doubts amongst the football public yet.
However, there is no doubting Cole’s quality as a playmaking midfielder and Liverpool fans will now be hoping that his addition will spark a major revival under Hodgson next season.
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