Premier League inducts Chelsea's legend into its 2024 Hall of Fame

Former Arsenal and Chelsea player, Ashley Cole has been inducted into the 2024 Premier League's Hall of Fame.

The Premier League made the announcement on its official website on Monday, March 25, 2024. Cole was inducted into the legendary status having secured the highest number of votes by the public and also for his achievement with both London clubs.

The English man won three Premier League titles during a 15-season career at Arsenal and Chelsea, during his playing days, he was known for both his attacking and defensive abilities making him one of the greatest defenders the competition has ever seen.

Cole was part of the record-breaking "Invincibles" Arsenal team who went unbeaten through the 2003/04 season, He made 385 Premier League appearances in total, contributed to 147 clean sheets, scored 15 goals and made 31 assists.

He expressed his excitement during his acceptance speech at the award presentation.

He said,

"I am honoured to join the Premier League Hall of Fame, It is humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career. I went through my career just trying to give my best and be good enough. You take it day by day and game by game. As a young kid, you never dream of any of this and you just do it for the love of the game of football. I played for some fantastic clubs with incredible fans. Winning trophies with my boyhood club Arsenal and with Chelsea are amazing memories that will always be with me. It is emotional to reflect because a lot of hard work has been put in. To join the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, and Rio Ferdinand, I’m privileged to be in their company.”

Cole is the first of three players who will be inducted into the League's Hall of Fame this year (2024).

What is the Hall of Fame?

The idea was launched in 2021, with David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer being the first set to be inducted into the prestigious clique.

In 2022, Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were inducted. Last year (2023), Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were named as the first managerial inductees, with Tony Adams, Petr Cech and Rio Ferdinand also inaugurated as players.

All inductees receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, along with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice.

To be eligible for this season’s Premier League Hall of Fame, individuals must have been retired as of 1 January 2024, and only an individual’s career achievements in the Premier League are considered in their candidacy.