Former England, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole retires at 37

FILE – In this file photo dated Tuesday, Jan 21 2014, West Ham’s Joe Cole controls the ball during the English League Cup match against Manchester City at the Boleyn stadium in London. Former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has retired from soccer, it is announced Tuesday Nov. 13, 2018, completing his career with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United Soccer League. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, FILE)

LONDON — Former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has retired from football.

The 37-year-old Cole completed his career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United Soccer League, scoring 104 goals in 716 professional appearances for seven teams.

After impressing at West Ham, Cole made his England debut at 19 and went on to earn 56 caps and appear at three World Cups. Cole was part of England’s so-called Golden Generation, playing alongside David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.

“I hope the next two decades are as special as my last 20 years as a professional have been,” Cole said. “A huge thanks to everyone who helped me along that path.”

Cole, a lifelong Chelsea supporter, joined West Ham at the age of eight and made 187 appearances, scoring 18 goals, in two spells, from 1998 to 2003 and 2013-14.

He moved across London to Chelsea after West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League in 2003.

Cole won every domestic honor during his time at Chelsea, contributing to the west London club’s first English title in 50 years in 2005 under Jose Mourinho.

A 2 1/2-year spell at Liverpool saw Cole make only 42 appearances, scoring five goals. A season-long return to West Ham was followed by spells at Aston Villa, Coventry and then the Rowdies in Florida.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have played with some of the very best players of my era and even more fortunate to call a lot of them friends,” Cole said. “Winning trophies at Chelsea was particularly special for me. Those memories will live with me forever, as will the chance I had to share them with my family.

“Looking to the future, I want to stay involved in the game. I feel I can offer a lot as a coach. To lend my experience to help other young footballers achieve their dreams, just like I did, is a big passion of mine.”