I left Chelsea to sign for the biggest club in England
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Joe Cole: I left Chelsea to sign for Liverpool because they are the biggest club in England
Joe Cole has revealed he signed for Liverpool because they are the 'biggest club in England'.
The England midfielder officially signed his four-year deal - worth £80,000 a week - after leaving Chelsea this summer.
And he has spoken for the first time about his reasons for joining Liverpool - and snubbing a move to Arsenal and Spurs.
Red alert: Liverpool new boy Joe Cole said he left Chelsea to sign for the biggest club in England
The new Liverpool No 10 said: 'I could have stayed at Chelsea because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.
'I set myself a deadline to make a decision and when I made it I sent a text to Christian Purslow and Steven Gerrard and then turned my phone off.
I know I have made the right decision and I am looking forward to the challenge. This is a challenge for me. I have played in London all my life.'
'This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms.
'I thought about the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005 when I ran on to the field and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every week and that swung it for me.
Breath of fresh air: Cole says he can't wait to get started with new Reds boss Roy Hodgson
'You talk to Liverpool players and talk about the European nights. I experienced it as an opponent and it was immense. To go out there and play in that atmosphere every week will be phenomenal.'
Cole revealed that he is exciting about working under new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, who replaced Rafa Benitez at the end of the season.
He added: 'I had a chat with the gaffer about football and was impressed with him. The club has had Spanish and French managers over the years and I think it's a breath of fresh air to get an Englishman in.
'The club finished seventh last year, which wasn't good enough, and he explained where the club wants to go. I jumped on board because with the players we have here and the players we are looking to bring in, it's definitely going in the right direction.
Thumbs up: Cole declared he was delighted to hear captain Steven Gerrard will stay at Anfield
'I want to go out there and to run and fight for the lads and the fans. That's what I'll always do and Roy is the man who can make sure we are a nice unit as a team.
'It's all about us and being together as a team and having the spirit which can take you a long way. If you add that to the quality players we've got here we can go a long way.'
Cole has also welcomed the news that he will be playing alongside Steven Gerrard next season after the Liverpool skipper committed his future to the club.
He said: 'That was the best bit of news I could have had. I know Stevie, he is Liverpool through and through and I know from playing with and against him for the last 10 years what a quality player he is.
'I know how much this club means to him. I think players can play for other clubs but with Liverpool you have to live and breathe it. It's that kind of a place. I am excited by the challenge.
Let's get started: Cole wants to set the Premier League alight with new team-mate Gerrard
'I am moving my family and everyone is excited and booking their weekends up here. I am going to make it work.'
'We've just had a young baby girl, but I'm 28 now and I have a good family around me. I know people will make me feel welcome and the response I have had has been amazing.
'I just want to get involved. When you move to a new club it's important to immerse yourself into everything about it and that's what I'll be looking to do. I know the fans are great with the players and I will fight to try and win trophies for this club.'
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Hope he is not the next keane.
Keane said the same stuff when he arrived to Liverpool.
But, he left in 6 months.