Ashley Cole is widely regarded as one of the finest left-backs English football has produced. Born in Stepney, London, on 20 December 1980, he built a club career that spanned Arsenal, Chelsea, Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby County, and collected 107 caps for England. Since retiring as a player in 2019, he has moved into coaching and currently serves as head coach of Serie B side Cesena.
His path from the Arsenal academy to Champions League winner with Chelsea is well documented, but several aspects of his life and finances remain less clear. This article draws on official profiles from the Premier League, the Football Association, and other verified sources to provide a factual, up-to-date overview of Cole’s career, family, and current role.
The aim is to separate what is reliably known from what is still uncertain, answering the most common questions readers ask about the former England defender.
What Is Ashley Cole’s Net Worth and Career Background?
Ashley Cole, born 20 Dec 1980, 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in), English / Barbadian, left-back.
No official net-worth figure is published by any authoritative source; estimates vary widely and cannot be verified.
Married Cheryl Tweedy (2006–2010); now in a relationship with Sharon Canu, with whom he has two children.
107 England caps, 3 Premier League titles, 7 FA Cups, 1 Champions League. Head coach of Cesena FC (Serie B).
- Cole is England’s most capped full-back with 107 appearances between 2001 and 2014.
- He won the FA Cup seven times, more than any other player in the competition’s history.
- His 22 appearances at major tournaments remain an all‑time England record.
- He never scored for England, making him the outfield player with the most caps without a goal for the Three Lions.
- Cole joined Chelsea in August 2006 and won the Premier League, four FA Cups, the League Cup and the UEFA Champions League there.
- After retiring in 2019, he worked with England development teams and served as assistant coach of the senior side during Lee Carsley’s interim spell in late 2024.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ashley Cole |
| Date of birth | 20 December 1980 |
| Age | 45 (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Stepney, London, England |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Nationality | English / Barbadian |
| Position | Left‑back |
| Current role | Head coach, Cesena FC (Serie B) |
| England caps | 107 (2001–2014) |
| Major club honours | 3 Premier Leagues, 7 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 1 Champions League |
Who Is Ashley Cole’s Wife and Family?
Cole married singer Cheryl Tweedy on 15 July 2006. The couple divorced in 2010, and the split attracted wide media coverage. Since then, Cole has been in a relationship with Sharon Canu (sometimes referred to in sources as Sharon Arden). The two have two children together, although the children’s names have not been made public in any of the available authoritative profiles.
Is Ashley Cole still with Sharon Canu?
The most recent credible records from the Football Association and Wikipedia indicate that Cole and Sharon Canu remain together. No reliable updates on their relationship status beyond 2022 have been published in the sources used here.
How many children does Ashley Cole have?
Cole has two children with Sharon Canu. Public records do not disclose their names or ages, and no further details about his son from the marriage to Cheryl Tweedy appear in the verified source material.
Neither the Wikipedia biography nor the official England Football profile lists the names of Cole’s children. This information has not been made public through those channels, so any report claiming specific names should be treated with caution.
What Is Ashley Cole’s Transfermarkt and Club Career History?
Which clubs did Ashley Cole play for?
Cole came through Arsenal’s youth system and made his senior debut in 1999. He made 228 senior appearances for the Gunners and won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups before moving to Chelsea in August 2006. At Chelsea he added another Premier League title, four FA Cups, one League Cup and the UEFA Champions League to his collection.
After leaving Chelsea in 2014, he spent one season at Roma, then moved to LA Galaxy in the MLS. He returned to England in January 2019 when he joined Derby County, where he played a handful of games before retiring.
Did Ashley Cole ever play for Everton?
No. The research sources do not contain any record of Cole playing for Everton. He was loaned out early in his Arsenal career, but those loan spells did not involve Everton.
What does his Transfermarkt profile show?
Platforms such as Transfermarkt compile detailed market‑value histories and transfer records. For Cole, the data confirms his free transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006 and his later moves to Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby County. These figures are crowd‑sourced and should be treated as indicative rather than official.
What Is Ashley Cole’s Coaching Career and Retirement?
Cole announced his retirement from professional football on 18 August 2019, shortly after joining Derby County earlier that year. He immediately turned to coaching, taking up a role with England’s development teams, including the MU21s. The FA notes that he also worked as assistant coach of the senior England side during Lee Carsley’s interim period in late 2024.
As of 2025, Cole is the head coach of Cesena, a club competing in Serie B. The England Football legend profile lists his current club as Cesena FC, confirming the role.
Cole’s path from academy coach to Serie B head coach is still in its early stages. If he succeeds at Cesena, he may attract interest from higher‑tier Italian clubs or eventually return to the Premier League in a coaching capacity.
None of the authoritative sources used for this article — Wikipedia, the FA, Chelsea FC, or transfer platforms — publish an official net‑worth figure for Ashley Cole. Any specific number circulating online cannot be verified through these channels.
When Did Ashley Cole Retire and What Are the Key Milestones in His Career?
- 1980 — Born in Stepney, London.
- 1998 — Senior debut for Arsenal.
- 2001 — England senior international debut.
- 2002 — Won Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsenal.
- 2004 — Part of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” season.
- 2006 — Transferred to Chelsea.
- 2010 — Divorced from Cheryl Tweedy.
- 2012 — Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea.
- 2014 — Left Chelsea for Roma.
- 2019 — Retired from professional football (18 August 2019).
- 2023 — Named head coach of Cesena FC.
- 2024 — Assistant coach of England senior team for interim period.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Ashley Cole?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 20 December 1980 in Stepney, London. | Exact current net worth — no authoritative source publishes a verified figure. |
| Played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Roma, LA Galaxy and Derby County. | Names and ages of his children are not disclosed in public records. |
| 107 England caps — most capped full‑back for England. | Relationship status with Sharon Canu after 2022 is not confirmed by recent credible sources. |
| Retired as a player on 18 August 2019. | Specific coaching salary and contract terms at Cesena are not in the public domain. |
| Current head coach of Cesena FC (Serie B). | Whether he holds Barbadian citizenship beyond eligibility has not been detailed by official sources. |
How Does Ashley Cole’s Legacy Compare to Other Premier League Left‑Backs?
Cole is routinely mentioned alongside the best left‑backs in Premier League history, such as Stuart Pearce, Denis Irwin and Andy Robertson. His trophy haul — seven FA Cups, three Premier League titles and a Champions League — stands out among defensive players of his generation.
His controversial transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006 created lasting tension with Arsenal fans, but it also allowed him to become a key figure in the most successful period in Chelsea’s history. On the pitch, his defensive consistency, pace and ability to read the game earned praise from managers and teammates alike.
Off the pitch, Cole’s personal life attracted sustained media interest, particularly his marriage to Cheryl Tweedy and subsequent divorce. His decision to move into coaching after retirement reflects a trend among top‑level players to stay involved in the game, though his long‑term trajectory in management is still unfolding. For more on England’s defensive greats, explore our England football legends profiles.
Which Sources Provide Verified Information About Ashley Cole?
The most reliable sources for Cole’s career data are the official Wikipedia entry, the England Football legend profile, and the Chelsea FC official profile. Transfermarkt provides supplementary market‑value data, while his Instagram account offers occasional personal updates but is not a primary factual source. For further reading, see our England football legends profiles.
“Ashley Cole made 107 appearances for England between 2001 and 2014, with only Bobby Moore (108) winning more caps among defenders for the Three Lions.”
— England Football official profile
“Ashley Cole signed for the Blues from Arsenal in the summer of 2006 and went on to become an integral member of the squad during the most successful period in Chelsea’s history.”
— Chelsea FC official website
What Is the Bottom Line on Ashley Cole’s Career and Life?
Ashley Cole’s career is defined by sustained excellence at the highest level: 107 England caps, three Premier League titles, a Champions League victory, and a record‑setting seven FA Cup winners’ medals. Since retiring in 2019, he has transitioned into coaching and now leads Cesena in Serie B. His net worth is not publicly verified, and certain details about his family remain private. For a broader view of legendary England figures, see our England football legends profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashley Cole
Does Ashley Cole have Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram account is @theofficialac3.
What is Ashley Cole’s nationality?
He is English, but he also holds Barbadian citizenship through his father.
Is Ashley Cole in a relationship?
He is in a relationship with Sharon Canu (also referred to as Sharon Arden in some sources), based on the most recent public records from 2022.
What is Ashley Cole’s son’s name?
The names of his children with Sharon Canu have not been publicly disclosed in verified sources.
How tall is Ashley Cole?
His height is 1.76 m, which is 5 ft 9 in.
Which country does Ashley Cole play for?
He represented England at senior level, earning 107 caps between 2001 and 2014.
Did Ashley Cole ever play for Everton?
No. The available sources contain no record of Cole playing for Everton at any stage of his career.
How old is Ashley Cole in 2025?
He was born on 20 December 1980, making him 45 years old in 2025.
What trophies did Ashley Cole win at Chelsea?
He won the Premier League (2009‑10), four FA Cups, one League Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
What is Ashley Cole’s current coaching role?
He is head coach of Cesena FC, a club competing in Serie B, the second tier of Italian football.
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