Cole joins Fulham

Fulham have completed the signing of striker Andy Cole from Barclays Premiership rivals Blackburn.

The former England forward has signed a two-year deal with the Cottagers, although no other details of the deal have been released.

Cole’s capture was revealed by Fulham boss Chris Coleman after today’s friendly with Celtic.

Rovers had given Cole permission to talk with Fulham after allowing him to leave Ewood Park on a free transfer.

The 32-year-old striker, who joined Blackburn in December 2001 for £7.5m (€11.3m), still had a year to run on his contract with Rovers.

But he had slipped down the pecking order at Ewood Park – with fellow strikers Jon Stead, Matt Jansen, Paul Gallagher and Paul Dickov all netting in Friday’s 8-0 pre-season rout of German part-timers SG Schorndorf.

Souness has revealed that Dwight Yorke was his sixth choice forward – and former Arsenal striker Cole has decided to return to London after netting just twice in the final 11 matches last season for Blackburn, who preserved their top flight status with four wins in their last six games.