Liverpool sign Joe Cole after release by Chelsea -BBC Sport

Liverpool sign Joe Cole after release by Chelsea -BBC Sport

Liverpool have signed Joe Cole on a four-year deal - subject to a medical - following his release by Chelsea.

The 28-year-old England midfielder left Stamford Bridge in June after failing to agree a new contract with the Premier League champions.

He was linked to Arsenal and Tottenham but has opted for Liverpool, who failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Cole's arrival follows winger Yossi Benayoun's move from Anfield to Chelsea for an undisclosed fee in July.

The West Ham academy graduate becomes Liverpool's second summer signing after Serbia forward Milan Jovanovic arrived on a three-year contract from Standard Liege.

Cole joined Chelsea from West Ham for £6.6m in 2003 and scored 40 goals in 282 appearances, winning three Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

In June he claimed unspecified "political rather than footballing reasons" had led to his departure, but he insisted manager Carlo Ancelotti was not the cause of those problems.

"It is not financial and it is nothing to do with Carlo," Cole 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."

After recovering from 10 months out with a ruptured cruciate ligament, Cole grew frustrated at having to settle for a bit-part role in his final season at the club.

He was used mainly as a substitute and, when he did play, Ancelotti often deployed him in a wide position.

Cole, capped 56 times by his country, featured in two of England's matches at the 2010 World Cup, though on both occasions he was introduced as a second-half substitute.

"Next season I want to have a fantastic season for England and whatever club I am at. The next contract will be a footballing decision," he added earlier in June.

"I want to play in a more central position and I want a manager who has faith in me."

Hodgson is also hoping to retain the services of captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres, both of whom have been linked with moves away from Anfield.