LIVERPOOL, July 19 – England midfielder Joe Cole has joined Liverpool on a four-year contract from Premier League rivals Chelsea, the Anfield club announced here on Monday.
Cole, 28, has agreed personal terms with the Reds and will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours, Liverpool said in a statement.
He becomes the club’s second pre-season signing after Milan Jovanovic and is set to join a Liverpool team now being managed by ex-Fulham boss Roy Hodgson.
Cole won three Premier League titles and two FA Cups during a seven-year spell with Chelsea.
He made his name with Chelsea’s London rivals West Ham and has scored 10 goals in 56 England appearances.
Cole claimed unspecified "political rather than footballing reasons" had led to his departure from Chelsea back in June, but he insisted manager Carlo Ancelotti had nothing to do with it.
"It is not financial and it is nothing to do with Carlo," he said at the time. "I love Carlo. I think he is a top guy and a top manager.
"I loved my time at Chelsea, I love the fans but it is a story for another day and I will tell it but now is not the time."
Having been on the bench for much of England’s lacklustre World Cup campaign, Cole laid down his conditions to potential suitors while still in South Africa.
"Next season I want to have a fantastic season for England and whatever club I am at," said Cole.
"The next contract — it will be a footballing decision. I want to play in a more central position and I want a manager who has faith in me."
Tottenham Hotspur, whose manager Harry Redkapp nurtured Cole’s early career at West Ham, and north London rivals Arsenal were also reported to be interested in the midfielder.
But even though Arsenal finished third last season and Tottenham fourth, Cole has joined a Liverpool team who could only end the Premier League campaign in seventh place and who haven’t won the English title since 1990.
