Derby County have brought in Ashley Cole on a free transfer until the end of the season, as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

Cole, 38, was a free agent after Los Angeles Galaxy released him at the end of his contract late last year. However, the left-back has found a way back into professional football, after signing on with Derby County on a short-term deal.

Before the announcement, Frank Lampard said of his former teammate: “He’s a great pro and a great lad. We’re looking at it. I speak to Ash all the time. We’re good friends. I know he is very fit, fresh and wants to continue to play so he comes into my thoughts because I know the influence he would have.”

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It was a long time ago now that Cole was with Arsenal. He joined the club as a youth player, before stepping up to the senior side in 1999. He then left for Chelsea in 2006, but 13 years later it looks like he might have one more spell in England.

Derby currently sit in sixth place, the final playoff spot in the Championship. They’re seven behind Norwich City in second place, so an automatic promotion spot isn’t completely off the cards, with 18 games to go.

Whether Cole is the answer to push them up the table, we’ll have to wait and see.