Aston Villa sign Joe Cole
Joe Cole this afternoon completed a shock switch to Villa as boss Paul Lambert continued to add much-needed experience to his squad.
The 56-capped former England midfielder completed his medical today and signed a two-year deal.
Lambert has targeted adding more experience to his squad and sees 32-year-old Cole as the ideal fit following his release from West Ham. The three-time Premier League winner will become Villa's second summer free transfer after Philippe Senderos, 29, joined last week.
Cole said today: "The fire is still burning in me. I want to do well, play at the highest level and win things still and this club fits.
"Villa is a massive club and there's a massive opportunity for the club to push on. That was the main factor.
"I got a call maybe a week or 10 days ago and it just felt like it was a really exciting place to come at this moment."
Lambert is having to work under tight constraints with owner Randy Lerner hesitant to fund big-money deals while he looks to sell the club.
The Scot, who has also been linked with Norwich's Wes Hoolahan, is having to deal in free transfers and loans as he tries to ensure Villa don't suffer another season battling the Premier League drop. Lambert was also interested in Sunderland's Jack Colback before he joined their north east rivals Newcastle yesterday.
Cole had been linked with QPR and Brighton, while he is also believed to have had offers from the MLS. The former Chelsea playmaker almost moved to Villa on loan from Liverpool in 2011 under Alex McLeish but instead switched to Lille.
