New Liverpool signing Joe Cole admits that he is excited about the challenge that lays ahead of him at Anfield.
The England international, 28, formalised a four-year deal, which will see him earn £90,000-a-week, earlier today after successfully passing a medical.
Cole left Chelsea after failing to agree a new contract but beleives he could have remained at Stamford Bridge, where he is revered, and insists that his decision to move to Anfield was not deterred by the club's financial position
He said: "I know I have made the right decision and I am looking forward to the challenge. This is a challenge for me. I have played in London all my life.
"I could have stayed at Chelsea because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.
"This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms."
Roy Hodgson was delighted to add the experienced attacking midfielder, who will sport the no.10 shirt, to his ranks and Cole admits that the chance to work under an English manager again for the first time since 2003 was a massive incentive in agreeing to join the Reds.
"I had a chat with the gaffer about football and was impressed with him," he added.
"The club has had Spanish and French managers over the years and I think it's a breath of fresh air to get an Englishman in. The club finished seventh last year, which wasn't good enough, and he explained where the club wants to go.
"We have talked about positions in the team and types of formations he wants to play and I just want to be part of the team. I want to go out there and to run and fight for the lads and the fans.
"That's what I'll always do and Roy is the man who can make sure we are a nice unit as a team. It's all about us and being together as a team and having the spirit which can take you a long way. If you add that to the quality players we've got here we can go a long way."
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chumka, notrheast around 1 year, 6 months ago