Los Angeles Galaxy snatch Premier League's Ashley Cole

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The pipeline of premier soccer talent continues to flow into the United States.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Galaxy made it official that it had signed defender Ashley Cole.

Cole, 35, played in three World Cups for England and had stints for Arsenal and Chelsea. He most recently played two years for AS Romo in Italy.

"Ashley Cole has a great history," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena told LAGalaxy.com. "We know that doesn't necessarily translate on the field when you come to MLS but my interactions over the last couple of months show me that he's a player that has a strong desire to play here in Los Angeles. He's very fit and has a burning desire to get back on the field and prove to people that he can still play. I have a hard time believing that he won't be one of the better left backs in our league.

"I think that the opportunity that he's going to have in LA is going to be a good one for him, and he's going to be able to contribute greatly to our team"

Cole played 18 years in England and earned 107 caps for the national team.

"I think you always have to think about the balance on your team with their age and experience, but I believe that we do have the right balance here," Arena said. "Good players who are fit and have their minds right can play at 35-years-old, 31-years-old, or 21-years-old. I think that you have to have the right balance. Certainly, we're going to be a veteran and experienced team, but a good team."

The Galaxy begins the 2016 MLS season against D.C. United at 7 p.m., March 6 at the StubHub Center. Cole is just the latest of international stars to join the MLS, following Kaka, David Villa, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Sebastian Giovinco, Andrea Pirlo, Didier Drogba and more.