Cole signs extension with Arsenal

Jul 18, 2005, 14:55 GMT

London - Arsenal's England defender Ashley Cole has signed a one-year extension to his contract, despite having earlier claimed he was being forced out of the Premiership club.

Cole was found guilty at a Premier League inquiry earlier this year of attending a meeting with big-spending Chelsea without Arsenal's consent.

At the time he blamed Arsenal's vice-chairman David Dein for letting the situation reach that stage.

But on Monday Cole said through his agents: "I am now looking forward to another successful season. We are all determined to regain the Premiership.

"I can't wait for the season to start now," his statement released by Stellar Group said.

Cole had two years left on his previous deal and the new contract will now run until 2008.

A statement on the Arsenal website said: "Everyone at Arsenal is looking forward to Ashley being an integral part of the club's challenge for honours in the forthcoming seasons."

Media reports say that under the new deal his salary is set to more than double from 30,000 pounds (52,600 dollars) a week to 70,000 (122,000) per week.