BIRMINGHAM, England – Former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole has signed a two-year deal with Aston Villa.
The 32-year-old former England player joined the Birmingham club on a free transfer Tuesday after being released by the Hammers at the end of the season.
Cole has 56 caps for England and also had stints at Liverpool, Chelsea and Lille.
He says he's "been lucky enough to have a really good career but there's still a lot more I want to achieve."
Cole is the second major signing this summer for manager Paul Lambert, who is trying to bolster a squad that has been on the verge of relegation the past two seasons. Former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos joined Villa last week.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.