Report: Ashley Cole agrees to LA Galaxy move after Roma exit
Ashley Cole paved the way for a permanent move to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy by reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with AS Roma on Tuesday, this according to BBC Sport.
The former England left back’s peripheral place in the Roma squad -- combined with the interest from the Galaxy ahead of the upcoming MLS season -- paved the way for the two sides to reach a contractual settlement to scuttle the last six months of his deal.
“The club would like to thank Cole for his commitment during his stay in Rome and wish him the very best for his future career,” the Italian club said in a statement.
Cole is expected to use the proceeds from the settlement with Roma to compensate for a cut-price deal with the Galaxy ahead of the 2016 season. Both parties are expected to reach terms swiftly in order to reunite Cole with former England teammate Steven Gerrard in southern California.
Gerrard is currently one of the Galaxy’s three Designated Players alongside Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane. Those three players occupy all three DP spots afforded by MLS ahead of the upcoming season. Cole is expected to sign a non-DP contract with the Galaxy, according to ESPN FC and the Los Angeles Times.
Galaxy manager Bruce Arena landed veteran MLS free agents Jeff Larentowicz and Mike Magee and signed Helsingborgs winger Emmanuel Boateng over the past couple of weeks. Arena is also expected to pursue moves for AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong and Belgian defender Jelle van Damme, but the Galaxy told FOX Soccer over the weekend that the club has not lodged a bid for Aston Villa captain Joleon Lescott.
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