Former England International Ashley Cole confirms that he will leave Chelsea

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Chelsea's English defender Ashley Cole gestures to Chelsea fans following the English Premier League football match between Cardiff City and Chelsea.

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has confirmed that he be will be leaving the club this summer as a free agent after his contract expires on June 30.

The former England International had been playing second fiddle to Spanish full back Cesar Azpilicueta, and has just started 17 times for the Blues in the league. .

The 33-year-old took to twitter to announce that he will be leaving:

I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent and sadly it does not look like chelsea will be one of them.

— Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) May 19, 2014

Thank u Chelsea FC for making my 8 years there a pleasure to work all the staff and players, we've been through a lot, good and bad

— Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) May 19, 2014

And of course the fans, how do I start, I can only say thank u for giving the boys confidence to win some amazing trophies, and once again

— Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3) May 19, 2014

Cole will now be looking for new suitors after having joined the London club from Arsenal in 2006.

Cole has won one English Premier League title, one Champions League, four FA Cups and one Europa League with Chelsea.