West Ham confirm Cole return

Joe Cole's return to boyhood club West Ham on a free transfer from Liverpool has been confirmed.



The 31-year-old has signed an 18-month contract at Upton Park to end a miserable spell at Anfield.



Cole told his new club's official website: "It is a great move for me. This is where I learnt my trade and I'm happy to have another chance to be here. I've always loved West Ham and I hope I can give the club a few memorable seasons."



Cole emerged from the club's academy to sign professional terms in 1998 and helped them win the FA Youth Cup the following year, becoming a firm fans' favourite before leaving for Chelsea in 2003, when he became one of their first signings following Roman Abramovich's takeover of the club.



There, he won eight major trophies including three Premier League titles, was named in the Professional Footballers Association team of the year in 2006 and has won 56 full England caps.



But after joining Liverpool as a free agent, he was sent off on his Premier League debut and missed a penalty in his next appearance, a Europa League qualifying match against Trabzonspor. The poor start set the tone for a Reds career hampered by form and fitness problems and he was allowed to spend last season on loan at Lille.



He scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the French club and will have the opportunity to further rebuild his career at the club where he first made his name.



Cole said: "The timing was right for me to come back and I'm happy. I'm back in London and I'm delighted to be here. I want to be here and I want to make an impact.



"Sam (Allardyce, manager) didn't have to sell me the club for me to come back. I have had 18 months at Liverpool where I haven't played much football and Sam wants to play me.



"I'm going to need games to get back to my best, but I want to play football and come here and help the team to make an impact.



"I could see from the outside what a great bunch of lads we have here and there is a great spirit. I'm excited."



The warm reception he received from the Upton Park crowd when he returned with Liverpool last month, which he reciprocated by not celebrating his goal in the Reds' 3-2 win, was also a factor in his return.



"It was a big thing in me coming back, the fact that everybody here wants me to do well," Cole added. "The fans have always been great for me, whenever I have been back and also when I've been in the area visiting family.



"I feel like I owe the club a little bit as well because if it wasn't for West Ham I wouldn't be a footballer. This club's great youth-team coaches taught me the trade."



The Hammers lie 11th in the Premier League table after 20 games and Cole is optimistic about their prospects for the remainder of the campaign.



"The first season in the Premier League is always the toughest one and the boys have done brilliant to get 26 points on the board," he said. "We would like to match that in the second half of the season and crack on from there.



"We have got a lot of England internationals and a good strong squad here, so our home form is going to be vital."

Joe Cole set for comeback

West Ham are set to make their first signing of the transfer window by bringing Joe Cole back to the club on a free transfer.



Liverpool are prepared to cancel Cole's current agreement at Anfield to ensure he gets a move away from the Reds this month and Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is set to land the player, although there is still interest from Harry Redknapp at QPR.



Cole came through the youth ranks at Upton Park before moving to Chelsea for £6.6m in 2003 prior to moving to Liverpool at the end of his contract in 2010.



His time with the Reds has been less than successful though, and he spent last season away on loan at Lille.



Liverpool are now prepared to let him move on for free and he seems set for a West Ham return.

Cole keen to resurrect Reds career

Joe Cole would love to have a second crack at making a success of his Liverpool career after an impressive season on loan with French club Lille.



The 30-year-old midfielder endured a poor campaign with the Reds after joining on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2010.



He resurrected his career in 2011-12 by helping LOSC finish third in Ligue 1, scoring nine goals in 42 appearances for Rudi Garcia's side, but admits the "fire still burns" to prove himself on Merseyside. "I would love the chance - if they wanted to - to put it right," he told Sky Sports News.



"I don't want that on my career. I've been a success at West Ham, a success at Chelsea, and come to another country in France and had a good season.



"It's just that season at Liverpool. It's in their hands. I'm easy whatever way but the fire still burns with me and I would love to have the chance put it right if that's what they wanted."



And Cole believes the dismissal of manager Kenny Dalglish earlier this month may open the door for a return to Anfield.



"Kenny was a good guy - he didn't lie to me. I wasn't in his plans," the player added.



"It [Dalglish's departure] just changes my future. Whereas it was quite clear before Kenny got the sack that I wouldn't be going back there, who knows what will happen now? I'm just waiting on some kind of information."