Ashley Cole takes £160,000 a week PAY CUT to join Roma after leaving Chelsea



Cole has agreed two-year deal worth a basic £35,000 a week with Serie A giants



Bonuses will push earnings up to around £80,000 a week for former England defender

The 33-year-old was earning around £200,000 a week at Chelsea until he was released



Dubbed 'Cashley' after he left Arsenal in 2006 over wage dispute, the Gunners offered £55,000 instead of the desired £60,000 per week



Ashley Cole landed in Italy on Monday ahead of joining Serie A side Roma and has agreed to a huge pay-cut to join the Italian giants.

It is understood the left-back, who was released by Chelsea, has agreed a two-year deal worth a basic £1.8million per season (around £35,000 a week), though the contract is believed to be loaded with incentive-based wage increments. There is also an option for a third season.

Done deal: Cole signing his two-year deal after leaving Chelsea New start: The former England defender was a free agent after leaving Chelsea Happy man: Cole takes a selfie with the Roma shirt after being presented to the media No keeping him in the shade: Cole landing in Rome ahead of his move to Serie A side Roma

Popular: The former Chelsea defender was mobbed by fans as he touched down in Italy New surroundings: Cole arrives at Roma's training ground on Monday after signing with the Serie A side Arrival: The club's official Twitter account posted a picture of Cole at Rome airport and wrote, 'Welcome to Rome, Ashley!' Continental: Cole is the tenth Englishman to move to Serie A, the first since David Beckham to AC Milan

Join us: Cole was welcomed to Rome by Roma's official Twitter account

Front page news: Rome newspaper Il Romanista showing enthusiasm over the move

Servant: Cole became a free agent when Chelsea released him at the end of the season after eight years at Stamford Bridge

VIDEO Cole reveals Chelsea exit

Gone: Cole will become just the second player to play for Roma following John Charles

All smiles: Cole seemed to be in a positive mood ahead of his move to AS Roma

Cole’s move to Italy ends his 17-year career in the Barclays Premier League, in which time he has won every major domestic and European club competition.

The 33-year-old lost his place to Cesar Azpilicueta, who is a right-back by trade, last season and was forced to spend the majority of the campaign sitting on the bench.

His lack of games ultimately cost him a place in Roy Hodgson’s plans for Brazil 2014 as left-backs Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw were preferred by the England manager.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had shown an interest in signing Cole, as did Real Madrid, who are managed by the defender’s former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.