THE SKY Blues have made one of their biggest transfer scoops in recent years after signing England international Joe Cole on a short term loan deal.
The 33-year-old has moved to the Ricoh Arena from Premier League side Aston Villa on an initial 35-day loan.
Cole, who has scored ten goals in 56 appearances for England, has been struggling for first team football this season and has yet to make an appearance under Tim Sherwood this campaign.
The former West Ham and Chelsea star has been linked to a number of Championship clubs in recent weeks, but Cole has been persuaded to drop down to the third tier of English football.
It is understood that the lure of playing in Tony Mowbray’s attacking side was enough to convince Cole to move to the Ricoh.
“I’m delighted to welcome such a high-calibre player to the club.
“Joe has a great pedigree, both on the domestic and international stage, and I’m sure he’ll have a fantastic impact during his time at the club.
“I’ve met with Joe and he has watched us play several times this season. He likes the way we play the game and because of that, he has shown a real enthusium to come and play for the club.
“He’s a player who will give us another option in the forward areas and I’m sure the squad are looking forward to working with him.
“We’ve got plenty of games coming up which will be crucial to us maintaining our early-season form and I’m looking forward to seeing Joe in action for the Sky Blues.”
Cole began his illustrious career at West Ham United’s famous academy where he graduated alongside the likes of Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe.
He was part of the West Ham youth side that beat the Sky Blues in the 1999 FA Youth Cup.
Cole made his first team debut at the tender age of 17 for the Hammers and was made captain at the age of 21 before a big money move to Chelsea followed in 2003.
As part of the new Roman Abramovich revolution, Cole tasted much success at Stamford Bridge where he won the Premier League title and the FA Cup on three occasions, while also winning the League Cup twice and finishing as a Champions League runner-up in 2008.
Cole’s seven-year spell at Chelsea ended when he move to Liverpool in 2010 on a free transfer, but his Anfield career was hampered by injury.
A loan move to Lillie followed before he returned to his beloved West Ham where he scored five goals in 37 appearances before moving to the Midlands.
